Adversity hit the West Central Valley Wildcats football team early and often Friday night in their 42-16 opening week loss to the Des Moines Christian Lions. The Lions scored all of their six touchdowns in the first half, including five measuring over 30 yards in length. The Wildcats also turned the ball over four times on offense. On Monday’s Wahl McAtee Tire and Service Center Guthrie County PM Sports Page, Wildcat head football coach Eric Addy shared his appreciation for his team handling adversity. “We had leaders, mainly from our seniors, stepping up and doing the right things,” Addy said, “And just not leading by what they say but leading by example.”

Addy went on to tell a story about his favorite play from Friday’s game made by senior Cole Arnburg. “One of the best plays I’ve ever seen (Arnburg) make was with about a minute to go in the first half (vs. DMC),” Addy said, “Carson (Wadle) threw (Arnburg) a pass in the corner of the , and it got intercepted. Cole fell down, and surely it was a pick six and (he) got up, ran past everyone on DMC, and our team and ended up chasing the guy who intercepted the ball down and got him on the ground. (If he didn’t) the score would’ve been 48 or 49 to zero heading into halftime.”

The Wildcats look to bounce back this Friday when they host the Earlham Cardinals in a nondistrict game.