Head coach Greg White thought execution was good and the intensity was there for the Trumann Wildcats, who put up 70 points in wins over Cross County and Manila during a two-team scrimmage Tuesday, Aug. 26.

"We got a good start --- a whole lot better than last year," White said. "Last year we came in and we didn't execute. But we've got it going now. That's what we're looking for. I thought our execution was there and I'm proud of that."

The Wildcats set the tone for the night early on, scoring on their first possession against Cross County. Quarterback Blaike Jones connected on a 68-yard pass to Joe Turner. Zac Thompson ran it in for the score from 20 yards out and Lou Geutirrez's PAT gave the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

The Cats got on the board again with Jones finding Tommy Harris on a 15-yard pass, the point after making it 14-0.

Defensively, the Wildcats were able to capitalize on some miscues by Cross County. Dustin Miller recovered a fumble and ran it in 22 yards to make it 14-0. Joe Turner added to that with a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Colton Turner completed the rout, running the ball in from the 17 to make it 35-0.

Geutirrez was 5 for 5 on the night on point after attempts.

In the second match, the Wildcats picked up where they left off, jumping out to an early 7-0 lead on a fumble recovery by Terrance Harris at Manila's 11-yard line. Zac Thompson ran it in 11 yards for the touchdown.

The Wildcats got the ball back on downs at Manila's 24-yard line and Jones's 21-yard pass to Joe Turner set up Thompson's second running score of the night, a four yard run to make it 14-0.

Trumann's defense came up big again, recovering a fumble at the 31. Jones then connected with Dustin Miller for the distance to extend the lead to 21-0.

White handed the offense over to back up quarterback Miller, who then added two running touchdowns -- 35 and then 13 yards on a perfect block by Brian Elliott --- to make it 35-0.

White said, although the two teams are a division level below Trumann, he didn't find much on the night to complain about.

"It seems like execution was there," White said. "Both our quarterbacks were good. I thought Blaike did a good job. We took him out early so Dustin could get some touches. You can see his athletic ability. I think our linemen did what they were supposed to do. We got a couple of defensive touchdowns. And our back ups did extremely well. We're pleased with that. I was proud of everybody."

White said he didn't get to run the ball as much as he would have liked though. The running game was a problem last year for the team and this year the Wildcats will have to develop a ground game.

"We've got to establish a run this year," White said. "We emphasized that this spring and fall. Last year we didn't have much of a running game and we had to rely more on the pass. A lot of it was us as coaches. We didn't understand the system as much as we do now. We're leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year."

White said they have five good backs this year, starting with Thompson, who they can turn to who can all get the job done.

"Zac (Thompson) is Zac," White said. "Zac can play. And we have four people we can stick in there who can play."

White said overall the Wildcats looked good, but they need to remember that it's going to get harder from here on in.

"I think it's just a matter now of getting them grounded a little bit," White said. "They think, well, we've outscored our opponents 70-0. But the competition is going to be a lot harder. We have people who can do it. There is no doubt of that."

The Wildcats will face Rivercrest at home on Friday at 7 p.m.