Bearcats drop battle of the winless with Hamco

MCLEANSBORO - The Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton 2017 football season came to a merciless end at Hamilton County Friday, falling to the host school, 62-14.
The loss resulted in a winless season for the Bearcats at 0-9.
When asked to reflect on the season, Coach Anthony Hargrove said, "Not a season we wanted. We would have loved to get a win, but one of the things we wanted to build this year was character. I think, well I know, that by these guys sticking around through the season we had, we started the season with 44 guys and ended the season with 42, so for those guys to stick with it through all we went through this year and nobody complained or whined and they all kept on fighting says a lot about character."
The Foxes' initial score came on a 10-yard run senior Waylon Webb at 8:57 in the opening quarter. The two-point conversion run failed, leaving the score 6-0.
Webb followed up that score with another at 1:23 in the first on a five-yard touchdown carry. Once again, the conversion attempt carry failed and the initial quarter ended at 12-0 Foxes.
Webb hit paydirt again at 11:56 in the second quarter and this time the conversion was good as Landon Webb carried it in for the two points and a 20-0 lead. Waylon Webb would score five times on the evening.
The Bearcats got on the board at 6:19 of the second period on a beautiful 23-yard Bryce Pratt pass to the sure-handed Frankie Rebolledo. The kick failed, 20-6.
The Foxes added one more score and the half ended with Hamilton County holding a 26-6 advantage.
The Bearcats opened the second half with a long drive highlighted by an excellent kick return followed by another Pratt touchdown throw, this time to Gabriel Motsinger. The two-point conversion was good to trim the deficit to 26-14.
Unfortunately for the Cats, that would be as close as they would get. Hamilton County would add five more scores on the way to victory.
CZR's ground game was ineffective, but the Bearcats did manage 133 yards through the air. Motsinger was the leading target, hauling in four passes for 75 yards.
For the young Bearcats, next season starts now. Hargrove spoke of a focus on speed, agility and quickness work and the need to grow bigger and stronger.