The Paden City Wildcat varsity football team traveled to Weirton Madonna on Friday, only to return home with a lopsided loss, 54-6.

Senior Josh Bennett put Paden City’s only score of the game on the scoreboard in the second half to keep them from being shut out. Bennett was the Wildcats’ leading rusher in the game, gaining 53 yards on nine carries.

“Madonna is clearly one of the top three class A football teams in the state,” said Wildcat Head Coach Brent Croasmun. “They’re right up there with Williamstown and Wheeling Central. Their numbers are up and they have a lot of kids out for the team.

“They’ve got an excellent quarterback, great backs, good speed, everything. We just can’t compete with that.”

Madonna scored on the first play from scrimmage and never looked back, going on to soundly defeat the Green and White.

Malakai Anderson rushed for three yards on two carries; Geoffrey Bidwell carried the ball three times for three yards; and Keith Hardbarger gained three on three carries, as well. Also the ‘Cat quarterback, Anderson, completed three of 14 passes in the game for 32 yards. He also threw five interceptions.

Mitchell Stewart caught one pass for 18 yards; Jarod Stewart had one catch for 14 yards; and Bennett had a catch for two yards.

Defensively, Mike Greathouse and Anderson each were credited with six tackles in the game.

Though they lost Friday’s game, the ‘Cats did come out with a win during the week, as Van High School forfeited the first game of the season to them due to an ineligible player. So the loss, coupled with the new found win, puts Paden City at 1-1 on the season.

The Wildcats will host their first home game of the season with Clay Battelle on Friday.