BOGUE CHITTO — Homecoming 2005 had a happy ending for the BogueChitto Bobcats, thanks to the A-Team and some big defensive playsby C.J. Tate. Freshman quarterback Seth Avants hooked up withsophomore wide receiver Mario Addison for 3 touchdowns, sparkingthe Bobcats to an 18-14 Friday night win over the Salem Wildcats onTroy Smith Field.

Tate, a senior cornerback, made sure his final BC homecomingconcluded on a happy note. His fumble recovery at BC’s 40-yard linekilled Salem’s last-ditch comeback.

Tate grinned and said the fumbled football resembled a chunk ofgold. Salem receiver Erick Kennedy had taken a James Martin passall the way to BC’s 40 when he fumbled on the tackle. Tate scoopedup the ball and returned it to midfield with 63 seconds left on thescoreboard clock.

“Somebody dropped it, so I picked it up,” said Tate. “It feelsgreat to win homecoming.”

Homecoming queen Jessica Smith and her court were happy,too.

Tate also killed a Salem scoring threat at the close of thefirst half, intercepting a Martin pass in the end zone. TheWildcats held a 14-12 halftime lead.

“Our defense pitched a shutout in the second half,” said BC headcoach Gareth Sartin. “I’m proud for our seniors to get a win intheir last homecoming.”

The Bobcats (3-4) raised their region record to 3-3, winning athird straight game. Whistled for 14 penalties totaling 115 yards,winning wasn’t easy.

“Those penalties almost cost us,” said Sartin. “We did justenough to get it done. We are finally getting on the right side ofthose close ballgames. Our players are stepping up.”

Salem (3-4, 2-4) was kept out of the end zone in the secondhalf. The Wildcats came no closer than BC’s 37-yard line in thelast 2 quarters.

Outside linebacker Ty McKee led the Bobcats with 9 tackles.Linebackers Matt Boone and Cory Washington each had 7 tackles.

The A-Team provided the points. Avants hooked up with Addison ona 14-yard TD connection in the second quarter. Addison took a pass47 yards to paydirt in the third quarter and scored again in thethird on a 32-yard reception. For the game, he had 5 catches for127 yards.

Salem coach Kenneth Murphy watched his Wildcats take a 7-0 leadon a 10-yard run by Jeffrey White. Working out of the shotgun,Martin spread the offense.

and directed his team 51 yards in 6 plays. Shannon Ratliffkicked the extra point.

An interception by Garreth Murphy set up the TD drive.

The Bobcats responded with a 56-yard scoring drive. A 37-yardcompletion from Avants to Steven Snow gained BC a first down atSalem’s 16. Three plays later, Addison made a leaping catch in theend zone.

The PAT kick by Erik Allen was blocked and BC trailed 7-6.

Salem replied with a 13-play, 62-yard drive. Martin hit Ratliffwith a 5-yard, fourth-down scoring pass which pushed the Wildcatsahead 14-6.

At halftime, the 1964-65 Bogue Chitto football team, the firstat the school, was honored. They were coached by Tom Bryan who waspresent for the ceremony. That team finished 5-4, beating Raymond13-12 for its first win.

On BC’s first possession of the third quarter, the Bobcatsmarched 64-yards to paydirt. The 32-yard TD reception saw Addisonbreaking tackles to reach the end zone. Cory Washington was stoppedshort of the goal line on the 2-point conversion run and BC led18-14.

“We couldn’t make the plays in the second half,” said CoachMurphy “There were too many dropped passes.”

Martin was 16 of 33 for 111 yards. Avants, showing plenty ofpotential, completed 8 of 18 for 183 yards, plus rushing for 44more.

Washington, one of BC eight seniors who participated in thepregame coin toss, rushed the ball 20 times for 110 yards.