The Paden City Wildcats improved to 3-3 on the season Oct. 2 when they defeated the Cameron Dragons 21-8 in Dragon territory. It was Cameron’s sixth loss of the year.

Playing in thick mud, the Wildcat defense saved the day by holding Cameron to zero first downs and minus 15 yards on 18 times rushing.

“It was a muddy mess,” said Paden City Head Coach Brent Croasmun.

“It drizzled pretty much the whole time we were traveling there and just as the game was getting ready to start, it came a big downpour. The middle of the field was really muddy. That made it impossible to have any kind of throwing game.”

The first score of the game came on a short Taylor Still run for the ‘Cats, followed by Malakai Anderson’s run-in for two points.

Anderson was again ready to hit pay dirt in the second quarter, when he was hit at the goal line and coughed up the football. Teammate Kyle McFadden picked up the ball and was credited with the second touchdown of the game. However, the two point conversion pass failed.

Before the second quarter ended, Cameron scored on a pass interception, followed by a two point pass conversion that sent the teams into halftime with the score 14-8, Paden City.

A scoreless third quarter had the ‘Cat defense working overtime to keep Cameron from crossing the goal line. In the fourth quarter, though, PC’s Anderson picked up a fumble and scored six quick points. The extra point kick by Anderson was good, sealing the win for the visiting ‘Cats, 21-8.

“Our defense played better in this game than we have played all year,” Croasmun said. “They worked hard and got the job done.”

Offensively for Paden City, Anderson rushed for 74 yards on 21 carries; Still had 54 yards on 19 rushes; and Josh Bennett carried the ball seven times for 14 yards.

Anderson completed two of five passes for 12 yards, and both passes were caught by Still.

The Wildcat defensive effort was led by Still, who had eight tackles in the game, three of those for a loss. Anderson had seven tackles, one for a loss of real estate. He also sacked the Cameron QB, caused a fumble and recovered one for a TD.

Bennett had four tackles, one for a loss; Silas Davis was credited with three tackles, one for a loss; Jamie Billiter had one tackle and one for a loss; Jordan Kerns recovered a fumble; and McFadden had two fumble recoveries, one for a TD.

This Friday, Paden City will take on Bishop Donahue at John Marshall’s Monarch Stadium in Glen dale.

“We’re going to have to play well, with no mistakes, no turnovers,” Croasmun said. “And we’re going to have to play defense like we did against Cameron to come out of this one.”

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.