By Michael Lindsay
The Kaleb Qualls era for Livingston Academy football started with a bang Thursday night as the Wildcats traveled to Cumberland County and ran away with a 47-9 victory.
“I loved the way the guys came out and competed,” said first-year head coach Kaleb Qualls. “You should be ready to go in week one, but you never know. We made some plays defensively and I love the mentality and mindset.”
Senior Kaden Weitzel scored 4 touchdowns, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass for the Wildcats. Quarterback Adrian Jenkins threw 3 touchdowns, two of which went to senior receiver Rocco Carwile.
“We were frustrated last year on how we couldn’t get (Rocco) the ball enough,” said Qualls. “He’s our one-on-one guy and we trust he’ll win them. The mindset Kaden has, we know what we’re getting out of him.”
Cumberland County took the game’s opening drive deep into Wildcat territory until a Jesse Gentry interception set up Livingston’s first touchdown, a 6-yard reception by Carwile to take a 7-0 lead after one quarter.
Livingston took control in the second period as Jenkins hit Frankie Guerrero on a 14-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the quarter to lead 14-0. Weitzel intercepted a pass on the ensuing Cumberland County drive before punching in a rushing touchdown of his own to give Livingston a 21-0 lead with 5:33 left in the second, a score that would stand until halftime.
Weitzel opened the second half with another score, this one a 30-yard run to give the Wildcats a 28-0 lead with 8:43 left in the third.
Cumberland County got on the board via an 89-yard Liam Stephens touchdown run, but Weitzel and Livingston responded with another touchdown to lead 41-7 after three quarters.
The Jet defense recorded a safety late in the fourth quarter, but Weitzel wasn’t done has he forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and returned it for a touchdown to make the final score 47-9.
Up next for Livingston Academy is a home game against Warren County while Cumberland County travels to Monterey.
