Wildcats Face Season’s Biggest Test In Stone Memorial

Story by Rusty Ellis

The Monterey Wildcats are off to a 3-0 start this season after their 20-6 win over York Institute in Friday’s region-opener.

A physical battle throughout, the game was tight up until junior Mason Bowman’s touchdown run in the last two minutes to put the game on ice. One thing that stuck out to head coach Scott Hughes was his team’s mental focus despite some physical errors.

“We had a couple physical mistakes, but mentally, we didn’t have any busts,” Hughes said. “It was one of the first games we’ve had in a long time where when I broke it down, I had very few plays where I docked us for a mental mistake…that was refreshing as a coach to know that a group of teenagers can be that locked in to what you’re saying.”

Monterey is playing well on both sides of the ball. The offense is averaging just over 25 points a game, and the defense has been even stingier than in years’ past by only allowing 6.3 points a contest. That number on defense is clear proof that the Wildcats are playing as a unit as opposed to a group of individuals in Hughes’ eyes.

“They play together; it’s not a selfish defense,” Hughes said. “Guys are playing for each other and taking care of each other…it’s a very cerebral defense right now. They’re recognizing their keys, formations and personnel. They’re playing very fast because of their mental preparation.”

Two of the best members of that defense have been Michael Allred and Eli Saylors. Despite not being intimidating, according to Hughes, those two have helped limit opposing teams’ receivers and forcing them to be one-dimensional.

“They’re both very capable athletes, and sometimes they don’t believe it,” Hughes said. “They play so well together and off of each other. They’re not the most physically-imposing players, but they play very physical. They don’t shy away from it, and we ask those two to do a tremendous amount. They’re two of the most versatile players I’ve ever coached.”

This week’s game represents the Wildcats’ toughest challenge yet, as they take on the 4A Stone Memorial Panthers in Crossville. It’s also Monterey’s first road game, and after seeing this team on film, Hughes says his guys will have to prepare for anything.

“You have to defend the whole field and all three levels in the passing game,” Hughes said. “They’re very well-coached and are very detailed in what they do…when you watch them on film, their speed sticks out to you. You don’t see them make a lot of mistakes.”

It’s a team that Hughes says puts tremendous pressure on you in all three phases of the game. On special teams in particular, the Wildcats will have to be ready to field onside kicks and prepare for any trickery the Panthers could throw at them.

“They’ve got speed everywhere,” Hughes said. “They onside-kick it every kick, so if they do score, they’re getting the ball right back a lot of times. That’s just another dynamic you have to prepare for. It’s just a ton of pressure that gets put on your team in all three phases.”

The Wildcats and Panthers will battle it out in non-region action on Friday at 7 P.M. The game will be live-streamed on Upper Cumberland 3 on Facebook.