Hicks runs wild as Bobcats win opener

The Berryville Bobcats moved the ball well at times in the first half of their game at Mountain View on Friday, Sept. 5, but couldn’t seem to crack the end zone.

That wasn’t a problem in the second half.

Led by junior quarterback CT Hicks and a dominant performance from its offensive line, Berryville scored six touchdowns in the second half and defeated Mountain View 4028 in the Bobcats’ season opener.

Hicks ran for 200 yards, passed for 131 more and had five touchdown runs as Berryville recorded its highest- scoring game since a 62-0 victory over Decatur in 2022.

“There wasn’t really much adjustment at halftime,” said Berryville coach Macklin Chermak, starting his third season with the Bobcats. “It was just the kids kind of regrouping. The senior leaders kind of took over and got the kids going. We came out with a lot of energy in the second half. Our boys played a lot more physical. They did a lot of work this offseason and our seniors have been great leaders.”

Mountain View led 7-0 at halftime after scoring the game’s first touchdown with two minutes left in the second quarter, but Berryville responded quickly in the second half.

After forcing Mountain View to punt, Berryville took possession at its own 21. Five plays later, on a first down from the 36, junior running back John Butler took a handoff on a counter play to the right. With senior guard Zydon Ballard pulling to block the defensive end, juniors CJ Lanje and Easton Elliott double-teamed the defensive tackle. Butler hit the alley at full speed, then weaved to the sideline and appeared untouched on the way to a 64-yard touchdown that pulled the Bobcats within one point at 7-6.

Berryville got the ball right back when senior Kobe Garcia delivered a big hit on Mountain View’s kick returner, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Bobcats sophomore Wah Na at the Mountain View 46. Three plays later, Hicks ran for 16 yards to the 24 and two plays after that he scored on another 16-yard run to put Berryville ahead 12-7.

The Bobcats’ defense recorded three sacks on Mountain View’s next possession and Berryville got the ball back near midfield. Hicks ran for 26 yards to the Yellowjackets’ 30, then got 16 more two plays later. After an 11-yard completion to senior Kale Smith, Hicks scored his second touchdown of the night on a 9-yard run. Na’s extra point gave the Bobcats a 19-7 lead with 52.9 seconds left in the third quarter.

Ballard led the Berryville defense with seven tackles, including two for lost yardage, and a fumble recovery. Garcia had nine tackles, including two for lost yardage, and forced two fumbles.

Mountain View scored its second touchdown of the night on a 24-yard touchdown pass a little over two minutes into the fourth quarter to pull within 19-14, but Berryville responded again.

The Bobcats drove 74 yards in just four plays. On first down, Hicks threw deep down the left sideline to senior Russell Conard for a 41-yard gain to the Mountain View 33. Hicks ran for 13 yards on the next play before junior Jason Alvarado got free for 19 yards to the 1. Hicks scored on the next play and Wa’s extra point made it 26-14 with 8:45 left in the game.

Conard had three receptions for 56 yards, while Alvarado ran for 153 yards on 19 carries. In all, Berryville piled up 547 yards of total offensive, including 416 yards rushing.

“Once our offense got momentum, they kept it going,” Chermak said. “They never slowed down. They never took their foot off the pedal.

Mountain View wasn’t quite finished, however. The Yellowjackets responded with a 69-yard touchdown pass and added the extra point to pull within 26-21 with 8:30 remaining.

Mountain View attempted an onside kick after the touchdown, but Garcia recovered to give Berryville possession at midfield. Alvarado ran for 15 yards on first down and later in the drive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Mountain View set the Bobcats up with first-and-goal from the 10. After a 2-yard run by Hicks and an incomplete pass, Hicks got loose again for an 8-yard touchdown and Wa added the point-after for a 33-21 lead with 6:32 remaining.

Again, Mountain View answered, converting a double pass for a 52-yard touchdown and cutting Berryville’s lead to 33-28 with 5:58 left.

Berryville put the finishing touches on its victory on its next possession, however. A 17-yard Hicks run and another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Mountain View moved the Bobcats to the 30 yards line. On third-and-4 from the 24, Hicks got loose again, ultimately running parallel to the end zone to run a few more seconds off the clock before completing the touchdown run with 1:38 remaining. Wa’s final extra point of the night set the final score at 40-28.

“It was fun watching the kids fight through a little adversity,” Chermak said. “We’re looking to carry that momentum into the next game.”

Berryville will travel to Greenland on Friday, Sept. 12. The Pirates beat the Bobcats 47-21 last season.

Greenland has a new head coach this fall, and Chermak said the Pirates use a lot of misdirection on offense that will pose a challenge.

“They’re kind of a tough offense to prepare for,” Chermak said. “We know it’s going to be a tough, physical game, but we’re feeling good where we’re at.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.