BLUEFIELD, WV – The Bethel Wildcats and the Bluefield Rams met for the fourth time Saturday night and the Wildcats won for the fourth time in the series. Bethel jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and went on to win 49-24. Bethel improved to 1-1 while the Rams dropped to 1-1 on the early season.
Rushing touchdowns by Chris Witherspoon (11 yards) and Blake Meadors (3 yards) in the first quarter gave the Cats the early two score lead. Devious Christmon had an interception in the quarter.
Bluefield put together a drive early in the second quarter to cut the Bethel margin to 14-7. With 1:23 remaining, Bethel put together a seven play 67 yard drive capped off with a Chris Arrambide 36 yard touchdown pass to Davius Prather. Rodrigo Campos nailed his third straight point after to give the Cats a 21-7 lead. Bluefield's Tanner Griffith hit a 32-yard field goal in the waning seconds and the Wildcats led at the break 21-10.
Arrambide finished a 73 yard drive with a two yard scoring run at the 10:59 mark of the third quarter to give the Cats a 27-10 margin. Campos knocked in the point after and Bethel led 28-10.
Arrambide scored again early in the fourth quarter on a ten yard scamper and Bethel led 35-10. With 10:42 left Archie Williams came up with a fumble recovery and ran 60 yards for a touchdown with Bethel taking a 49-10 lead. Bluefield added a touchdown with 9:25 remaining to make it 49-17. The Rams went down fighting adding another late score with Bethel winning 49-24.
The Wildcats outgained BC 390 yards to 369. The Cats had a 157-91 advantage in rushing yards. Bluefield had the advantage in passing at 278-233. Arrambide was 13-of-22 in passing for 221 yards and the two touchdowns. De'Ontay Tate rushed for 47 yards while Witherspoon had 43 on the ground. Caleb Nelson caught five passes for 79 yards. Prather had 57 yards on three receptions. Braden Simmons caught one pass for 45 yards.
Jakobe Griffin led Bethel with eight total tackles. Afiz Bhadmos followed with six total tackles. Other highlights on defense for the Wildcats included fumble recoveries by Toto Minnifee and Key McDonald. David Miller also had an interception.
The Cats host Warner University Saturday in their home opener of the season. Kick-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. It will be the first ever meeting between the two.
The game can be heard on WEIO, 100.9 The Farm and at www.thefarmradio.com.
The contest can be viewed on Wildcat Vision at: http://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php.
Dave McCulley and Zach O'Kelley will call the action on both networks.
Live stats will be available at: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
The game will also be televised on a delayed basis by WLJT-TV, Channel 11. Airtimes: Sept. 14 at 10:00 p.m. & Sept. 15 at 11:00 p.m. Announcers: Russell Barker and Robin Francis
Catch the Michael Jasper next week as he reviews the win over Bluefield and previews the Warner game. Visit the show with Wildcat Vision at: www.bethelathletics.com
