The Orangefield Bobcats delivered a complete performance Friday night, powering past the Kirbyville Wildcats 50–22 in a game that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive toughness.
Kirbyville opened with promise, picking up two first downs before penalties stalled the drive. After a short punt, Orangefield struck quickly — quarterback Carson Gonzales hit receiver Kyran Morrow in stride for a 65-yard touchdown on the Bobcats’ first play from scrimmage. The extra point missed, but Orangefield led 6–0 and never looked back.
The Wildcats again moved deep into Bobcat territory before penalties and pressure forced a long third down. Morrow came up big on defense, picking off a pass in the end zone to end the threat. Moments later, senior running back Mason Manning broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run down the right sideline, extending the lead to 13–0.
Orangefield’s defense continued to set the tone. On the next series, Rylan Agerton jumped a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, putting the Bobcats ahead 20–0 after one quarter.
Kirbyville found some rhythm in the second quarter but ran into more trouble when senior linebacker Kaleb Menard scooped up a fumble and raced 86 yards for a defensive touchdown — his second in as many games. The PAT made it 27–0. The Wildcats finally scored on a tipped Hail Mary just before halftime, cutting the lead to 27–8.
Orangefield came out strong in the second half. After a short kickoff, Jack Luger returned the ball deep into Kirbyville territory, setting up Manning’s 35-yard touchdown run. The Bobcats led 34–8.
Kirbyville answered with a long pass and a touchdown to pull within 34–16, but the Bobcats quickly regained control. Manning and Gonzales combined for several big runs before Manning punched in his third touchdown of the night from two yards out to make it 41–16.
The defense tightened up again behind Menard, who notched multiple sacks and tackles for loss as Orangefield stifled the Wildcats. Manning added his fourth rushing touchdown late in the game to extend the lead to 48–16.
Kirbyville’s final score came on a 65-yard touchdown pass, but the Bobcats had the last word. Menard blocked the extra point, and Agerton scooped it up and returned it 93 yards for two points, sealing the 50–22 win.
Orangefield’s offense and defense shared the spotlight in the victory. Manning powered the attack with four touchdowns, while Menard led a dominant defensive unit with 12 tackles, four for loss, three sacks, and an 86-yard fumble return. Agerton added both a pick-six and the blocked-kick return.
The win moved Orangefield to 6–2 on the season, while Kirbyville slipped to 3–4. With both sides of the ball clicking, the Bobcats are building serious momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
-Dominic Menard, KOGT-
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