Thayer, Mo. – What a matchup at Louis Bozman Field on Friday night, November 13, 2026. Two teams were fighting for the title of Class 1 District 1 Champions. Only one would succeed. Although the Thayer Bobcats had the home-field advantage, the Portageville Bulldogs were the favored winners. So the matchup between Cats and Dogs began.
Start
It was a cold night, with temperatures already below 40 degrees by kickoff. A light wind made spectators snuggle lower in their blankets. Camo and Carhartt were the norm for the night. Cheerleaders of both teams wore warm clothing and ear warmers as they danced around, trying to keep the blood flowing.
Then the game began.
In less than a minute, Boyce ran for 55 yards, setting up the Bobcats’ first score of the night. Adding the extra points, the score was 8-0 with the underdog Bobcats ahead. Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs’ Miller ran 50 yards. However, the team could not convert to points, and the ball returned to the Cats.
The Bobcats ate up the clock, running for about 10 yards at a time and picking up a first down each time. At four minutes left, Poole ran in for another touchdown. Then another turnover on downs for the Bulldogs, and Boyce ran 17 yards, setting up Poole for yet another touchdown! Despite the Bulldogs’ Babb being an excellent runner and several Bobcats tackling him, the quarter ended with the Bulldogs scoreless and the Bobcats up 22-0.
Second
One minute in, the Bobcats intercepted the ball. However, the play was called back for a penalty. The Bulldogs did make it to the 5-yard line, but the Bobcats held them off for 4 downs. Then the Dogs did cross the line for their first points of the night. The second quarter was swathed in penalties. Bobcats’ Johnson ran 27 yards to set up Poole for another touchdown. Ming caught the pass as the Dominick Boyce, who received the snap, was going down. But Ming was in the end zone for the extra 2 points.
With just under 3 minutes to play, the Bobcats intercepted again, and Ming ran for the touchdown. Boyce got a touchdown with 1.5 minutes to go. Then Babb on the Bulldog team ran about 40 yards to set up a touchdown at the halftime buzzer. The score at halftime was 46-12.
Third
With temperatures continuing to drop, the Bobcats came out on fire! Boyce ran 24 yards to get another Bobcat touchdown. The turbo clock was running because of the lead. The Bulldogs came back, caught a 64-yard pass, and they ran for a touchdown. Poole turned points for points by running 9 yards, which led to his scoring a touchdown. The Bulldogs were penalized a couple of times for delay of game. Although they did complete a 21-yard pass, they fumbled the ball to the Bobcats, who went on to score. The third quarter ended 66-20.
Fourth
With the turbo clock running, the Dogs knew their time was limited. While rushing, Bobcats’ Ming intercepted the ball. One would not know the temperature was at freezing by the way the team ran across the field.
The Cats dominated the field, offensively and defensively, running the clock at their will. The game ended with the Cats ahead 66-20. The Thayer Bobcats are the Class 1 District 1 champions. They go to the state playoffs on Saturday, November 21, at 1:00 p.m. in Louisiana, Missouri. This is forecast to be a tight game, once more placing our Cats against the Bulldogs. But we have confidence in them and their coaches!
