Wildcats’ season record sits at 4-2 heading into Week 7

La Center Wildcats (4-2, 2-0 Trico)

Week 1: Hockinson 42, La Center 6

Week 2: Woodland 35, La Center 28
Week 3: La Center 35, Ridgefield 7
Week 4: La Center 30, Hoquiam 19
Week 5: La Center 56, King’s Way Christian 14
Week 6: La Center 64, Stevenson 32
Next: at Burlington-Edison, 7 p.m. Friday

This is why the La Center Wildcats never panic. They don’t mind starting the season against some bigger schools. A loss or two does not change the overall goal. And now the Wildcats have won four in a row and just scored nine touchdowns against a team that was undefeated and had given up 38 points in its first four games, total.

Making it happen:

In honor of those nine TDs, here are the key plays that led to the scores.

1) Stevenson got a first down on its initial drive of the game, getting past the 50-yard line. But I believe it was Collin Namanny who got a sack for a loss of 11, stalling that drive. Stevenson punted, which led to a 70-yard TD pass from Hayden Williamson to Thomas Dreyer.

2) Two Wildcats sacked the Stevenson quarterback on third down, forcing a punt attempt. The punter stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety. The ensuing free kick led to solid field position and then a Wyatt Dodson TD run.

3) Evan Honore with a 7-yard run on third-and-5 to keep the drive alive, leading to a short TD run.

4) Great fake by Thomas Dreyer, who played quarterback this drive. He kept the ball and gained 26 yards on a drive right after a Stevenson TD. That led to a Dreyer to Jackson Leslie TD pass.

5) Stevenson had just scored and recovered an onside kick. Evan Honore, though, got the ball right back to La Center with an interception. Honore was rewarded with a TD reception from Williamson.

6) A 39-yard run by Collin Namanny set up a TD run by Collin Namanny.

7) Thomas Dreyer with an interception and a 30-yard return set up Dodson TD run.

8) Thomas Dreyer ran most of the 65-yard score but was caught near the goal line. He fumbled, and lineman Colin Obot recovered in the end zone for a TD. Yes, that was a 65-yard play. And a linemen who never stopped hustling recovered the ball in the end zone. That was the play of this game.

9) Nothing really set this up. La Center received a kickoff, ran a couple plays, then Dodson broke free for a 65-yard touchdown. Ho-hum. Another LC TD.

Defensive gem:

Stevenson had a 92-yard play in this game that was not a touchdown. Yeah, I know. That’s rare.

But the reason it was not a touchdown was the hustle from Tanner Dreyer. The game was already decided. La Center was going to win. But Tanner Dreyer never gave up on the play and chased down the wide receiver just before he reached the end zone.

Coach Speak:

What did John Lambert think of his team’s performance in Week 6? “We had great energy going into the game and very good execution on offense.”

MVP on offense: Wyatt Dodson. “Had his cast removed from his hand and is a dynamic runner,’’ Lambert said.

MVP on defense: Evan Honore. “Had two interceptions,’’ Lambert said. “Could have had three but let Thomas Dreyer have it.”

Thoughts on Week 7 vs. Burlington-Edison: “A 2A school that has a great football tradition,’’ Lambert said. “They are in second place in the 2A Northwest League. Excited for the opportunity to test ourselves. The long trip will hopefully give us a preview of what playoff trips will look like.”