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Wildcats vs Bonham tonight
By Van Hilburn
Published October 30, 2009
The curtain will fall on historic Noyes Stadium tonight as the Paris Wildcats host Bonham’s Warriors, and a big crowd filled with former players and fans is expected to be on hand for tonight’s game.
“There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears at that stadium over the years. I really respect the history of it. I’ve been a part of some of that history, especially when McKinney and Paris had knockdown dragouts years ago,” said Paris High coach and athletic director Travis Smith, who was a former player at McKinney High. “It’s going to be sad to see her go, but the time to play the last game is here.”
Barring any delays in the opening of the new Paris High School and football complex currently under construction, this is expected to be the final game at the 68-year-old Noyes Stadium on the Paris Junior College campus.
There will be a post-game ceremony to commemorate the Wildcats’ years playing at Noyes Stadium, which opened in 1941. All fans are asked to attend the farewell ceremony as memories and past accomplishments will be shared by former Wildcat players and fans at this time.
Prior to the postgame festivities, a football game will be played, as the Wildcats try to run their district winning streak to nine games. Paris enters the contest with a 5-3 overall record and a 3-0 mark in District 10-3A. Bonham (0-8, 0-3), under first-year coach Dale Trompler, is still searching for its first win of the season.
The Warriors are averaging 12 points and allowing 32 points a contest, but they came close to knocking off Van Alstyne in the district opener on Oct. 9, losing that game 15-7. They also played North Lamar close last week before falling, 21-14.
“We know they have some good athletes over there and we also know we can’t take them lightly. Look at how close they played Van Alstyne and North Lamar,” coach Smith said. “They have people who can score, and we have to do a good job of containing them. We also have to control the football.”
The Warriors’ other district loss was a 42-6 thumping at the hands of Commerce two weeks ago.
Paris opened district by beating Commerce 63-0, then won the annual grudge match at North Lamar, 27-14, and returned home last week to knock off Anna, 49-14.
Overall, the Wildcats are averaging 37 points and allowing 27 a contest, but those numbers have shot up in District 10-3A competition where the ’Cats are averaging 46.3 points and allowing 13.7 a contest.
While Wildcat sophomore Corban Taylor has matured into a solid quarterback (1,310 yards passing and 15 touchdowns), and running backs Tyrell Smith and Aaron Ethridge are a good 1-2 combination (1,226 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns), Paris High’s offensive linemen are the unsung heroes. Senior tackle Eric Campbell, sophomore tackle Dee Bogan, senior guards Dylan Cathey and James Henderson, and senior center Tez Allen have done their job in the trenches.
Because of the line, Paris High is averaging 359 yards a game on the season and 403 yards in district.
On the defensive side, Wildcat ends Cedarius Hill and Jamal Wooten, both seniors, Cathy at noseguard and Jordan Gill at tackle are expected to continue what they have been doing throughout district, and that is make the big plays.
Hill leads the defense with 75 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, while Wooten has 32, including seven sacks and TFLs. Gill has five TFL and sacks since returning to the team in time for district.
PARIS HIGH WILDCATS
Tentative starting lineup for Paris Wildcats:
OFFENSE
Quarterback - Corban Taylor, 6-0, 166, soph.
Receiver - Dominique Mitchell - 6-0, 175, sr., or Equettis Jenkins. 6-1, 180, sr.
Receiver - Tavairus Williams, 5-9, 155, soph.
Receiver - Tevin Gray, 5-8, 165, jr.
Receiver - Darian Jones, 5-5, 155, sr., Cory Battle, 5-10, 170, jr.
Running back - Tyrell Smith, 5-9, 160, sr., or Aaron Ethridge, 5-9, 135, sr.
Left tackle - Dee Bogan, 6-3, 220, soph.
Left guard - Dylan Cathey, 6-4, 295, sr.
Center - Tez Allen, 6-0, 255, sr.
Right guard - James Henderson, 5-10, 240, sr.
Right tackle - Eric Campbell, 6-5, 275, sr.
Kicker - Gabriel Vera, 5-8, 130, soph., and Andreas Rivera, 5-11, 155, jr.
DEFENSE
End - Cedarius Hill - 6-0, 180, sr.
End - Jamal Wooten, 6-1, 240, sr.
Tackle - Jordan Gill, 6-2, 310, sr.
Noseguard - Dylan Cathey, 6-4, 295, sr.
ILB - Jerrad Guarra, 5-4, 230, sr.
ILB - Brandon Ortega, 5-8, 155, soph.
OLB - Kendall King, 6-2, 180, sr.
OLB - Cory Battle, 5-10, 170, jr.
Cornerback - Equettis Jenkins. 6-1, 180, sr.
Cornerback - Kendrick Smith, 5-8, 150, sr. or Tevin Gray
Free safety - Dominique Mitchell, 6-0, 175, sr.
Punter - Cedarius Hill - 6-0, 180, sr.
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