Thayer, Mo. – On Friday, September 18, 2026, the Thayer Bobcat football team stormed from the locker room, claiming the field and the right to be there. Hometown fans cheered as they saw ‘their boys’ warm up in preparation for the evening’s matchup. However, by the end of the game, the Bobcats trounced the Salem Tigers, 61-26. The extreme heat did not even affect them.
First
The Salem Tigers did score the first touchdown. But Bobcat fans were undeterred. Two minutes later, we had our own touchdown, followed by two points. The cats never looked back. They continued to run the clock and run down the field, gaining points. At the two-minute mark, the Tigers ran for their second touchdown. Poole countered with a 25-yard run to set up Boyce for the last-minute touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats were ahead 22-12
Second
The second quarter did not fare well for the Tigers. They fumbled their first play, allowing the Bobcats to take possession and score a touchdown. Next, the Bobcats recovered an onside kick, which led to another touchdown! At this point, the score was 34-12. Bryce ran for another touchdown. And, as a sharing team, Atkisson scored the final touchdown of the half. The Tigers did not score any points in the second quarter. The score was 55-12.
Third
The Tigers did rally after halftime. They scored eight points. But that was not enough for the rugged, determined Bobcats. That quarter ended with the Bobcats ahead, 61-20.
Fourth
It was turbo clock in the final quarter. The Tigers had a 26-yard run at the 5-minute mark, capping it with a touchdown. The final score was 61-26.
The Thayer Bobcats are now 2-2. Next Friday they play Houston in Houston.
