The football team lost 42-7 at Paint Branch last Friday.

With that game, the team holds a 2-2 record this year as they near the season’s halfway point. While the Wildcats have dominant wins against Whitman and Richard Montgomery, they have struggled against tougher competition in B-CC and Paint Branch. At times, the team has shown hints of a strong playoff team, but need to stay consistent if they hope to stand out amongst the top schools in the county.

Although their winning percentage might be .500, the Wildcats’ season has been anything but average. The Cats have outscored their opponents 107-69. The team struggled underneath Paint Branch’s homecoming lights, losing by 35 in their largest loss all season.

“We didn’t really come out physical,” senior Sean Mpanga said. “We came out soft and they were way more physical than us which showed in the score.”

The game left a sour taste in the Wildcats’ mouths as they came up short but even with moments of struggle, the team has lots to look forward to as flashes of greatness have been displayed in the green and white.

“[The differences] in the Whitman and RM games were that we trusted our offense more,” senior Jack Potash said.

The key to success so far has been the team’s playmakers. Stars such as junior Jake Forburger, Potash and senior Johnny Fisher have had success so far and will be leaned-on as the season continues.

“I step up by helping out underclassmen who get stressed out and letting them know that we all have a role on the team,” Potash said.

Along with its playmakers, the Cats said they have relied on their determination and bond to outlast their competition.

“We argue way less than last year,” Mpanga said. “Last year, we were more talented but this year we have more of a team bond.”
The team looks to maintain its identity even in a time of uncertainty.
“Our mindset hasn’t changed,” Potash said. “We’ve always had a mindset that we’re going to go in, try our best, and win.”
Although the Cats haven’t lived up to expectations so far, the season is still wide-open with the latter stretch of the season coming into play. If WJ wants to become a threat to be reckoned with, the team needs to hone down on some key ideas.
“We just need to keep our values every day and work at 100% everyday,” junior Corey Dooren said.
The Cats still control their destiny and continue their hunt for dominance with a home game against Wootton at 6:30 p.m. tonight.