The wind may have been chilly, but the Bobcat football team was hot on the field Friday afternoon against Mullen in Arnold. The Broncos, a team known for having a strong passing offense, were supposed to be a decent opponent for the Bobcats, who are now 7-0 on the season. The wind was a major factor in the Bronco's inability to throw effectively, but the Bobcat defense was also as much of an obstacle to their success.

After the first quarter of play was over, it was obvious that this game was going to be all Bobcats, all game. The final score was 62-22.

Senior Trey Connell, who was named the ESPN Tri-Cities athlete of the month, and sophomore Conner Paulsen both had an incredible game, accounting for a combined 50 of the 62 Bobcat points for the afternoon.

Connell struck first with a touchdown about two minutes into the first quarter, following a 4-yard run into the endzone. About two minutes later, Ethan Furne grabbed the ball for a 54-yard run to add six more points. Paulsen ran in the PAT and the Bobcats were up 14-0.

The Broncos took advantage of a Bobcat fumble on the 5-yard line to add their first points to the board, but a minute later Connell ran it in to make the score 20-6. With more than a minute left in the first quarter, Mullen added eight more points, to end the first with a score of 20-14.

Connell wasted no time in the second quarter, scoring on the first Bobcat drive and Paulsen added his PAT to increase the Bobcat lead 28-14. Two plays later, the Bobcats grabbed an interception and ran it into the endzone, but the touchdown was called back due to a penalty in the back.

Crew Witthuhn wasn’t deterred and ran it in to score his first and only touchdown of the game. Paulsen ran it in for two more to bring the score to 36-14.

The Broncos fumbled the ball on the very next play, but AJ Starr was there to recover it, and Connell brought in the touchdown, followed by the PAT by Paulsen to increase the Bobcat lead to 44-14.

Two plays later, Cache Gracey caught an interception at the 3-yard line, and got it to Connell, who ran it in for another touchdown. Paulsen was there to score the PAT and widen the lead over the Broncos even more, to 52-14.

Just prior to the end of the first half, Connell added another touchdown, to give the Bobcats a huge lead, 58-14, and a running clock to start the second half.

The final score for the Bobcats came when Paulsen ran it in at the very end of the third quarter. The younger Bobcats played very well, holding the Broncos offense to a single touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, and helping secure the win.

Connell amassed 153 yards rushing for the afternoon, 47 yards passing, and six touchdowns. Furne added another 74 yards rushing and one touchdown. Paulsen had 56 yards rushing, one touchdown, and 16 total points.

Furne and Gracey each had one interception, and Furne added seven tackles, including one tackle for a loss. Rio Remund, Joey Sallach, and Starr each had one sack. Starr also had 14 tackles, Remund had 11 tackles, and Sallach had six tackles.

The Bobcats have one regular season game remaining against Anselmo-Merna, but they have their sights set on the playoffs. The Bobcats are in fifth place in wildcard points, behind Johnson-Brock, Dundy County Stratton, Central Valley, and Wynot. While the playoff schedule has not yet been released, it is safe to say the Bobcats will be playing in round one on Thursday, Oct. 19, at either Arnold or Callaway.

The final regular-season game will be against Custer County rivals Anselmo-Merna on Friday at Callaway. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Game stats:

Paxton Bierman - 17 yards rushing Trey Connell - 153 yards rushing; 47 yards passing; 6 touchdowns Ethan Furne - 74 yards rushing; 1 touchdown; 7 tackles; 1 tackle for loss; 1 interception Harper Johnson - 3 tackles Dawson Mason - 2 kickoff returns; 4 tackles Dylan Pandorf - 19 yards rushing; 5 tackles; 1 fumble recovery; 1 kickoff return Conner Paulsen - 56 yards rushing; 1 touchdown; 9 tackles Rio Remund - 11 tackles; 1 sack Joey Sallach - 6 tackles; 1 sack AJ Starr - 18 yards rushing; 20 yards receiving; 14 tackles; 1 sack; 1 fumble recovery Haydn Stretesky - 1 tackle Crew Witthuhn - 27 yards receiving; 1 touchdown; 7 tackles; 1 tackle for loss; 388 yards kicking Lance Wooters - 2 tackles