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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Bethel Wildcats traveled to the Eastern Mountains of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Thursday night to face the University of Pikeville Bears. The Cats won 62-31 to move to 2-0 on the season while UPIKE fell to 1-2. The win evened the overall series between the two at 6-6. It marked the second straight victory for the Wildcats in Pikeville and evened the series there at 3-3.
For much of the first half both squads scored matching point for point as both defensive units struggled.
Bethel trailed early 3-0 but struck on a Sam Castronova touchdown pass to Breon Melvin from nine yards out to grab a 6-0 lead. Dalton McCann’s point after made it 7-3 Bethel with 10:40 left in the quarter.
After UPIKE took a 10-7 lead the Wildcats came right back on a De’Ontay Tate eight-yard scamper to regain the lead. McCann’s point after hit the right upright and Bethel led 13-10 with 1:46 left in the first stanza.
The Bears scored at the 13:28 mark of the second quarter to regain the advantage at 17-13. Castronova and Melvin however teamed up again for a Bethel lead. McCann’s point after a 21-yard touchdown between the two made it 20-17 with 10:50 left in the half.
Pikeville struck right back with a score to lead 24-20 but it would be the last lead they would enjoy on the night.
Bethel’s Antonio Wright sped his way downfield scoring on a 48-yard run to give Bethel a 27-24 margin.
In one of the big plays of the night Bethel’s Michael Adams forced a fumble which was recovered by teammate Delvin Spruills. A few plays later Wildcat J’Kobi Reddick scored on a six-yard run and the Wildcats took a 34-24 lead at the half.
Three straight scores in the third quarter propelled the Wildcats to a huge margin. Castronova hit Davius Prather from 50 yards out for a score. Anthony Hughes scored on a one-yard run. Taye Davis exploded for a 76-yard run and Bethel led 55-24.