BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cherryroad.com

It was the worst of both worlds for Cassville Friday.

The Wildcats (2-1) struggled equally to move the ball against a stout Seneca (3-0) defense and to stop the Indians’ dynamic offense in a 42-7 loss at home.

The Wildcats started with the ball and a promising return to the 33 but went three-and-out and were forced to punt.

Seneca hit two big plays, a 41-yard gain on an option pitch and an 18-yard pass up the middle to score and take an 8-0 lead.

Cassville started at the 22 on the next drive and on third-and-4 took a delay of game, but Quarterback Bodee Rose made up for it with a 10-yard run to the sticks. Still forced to punt, Hernan Hernandez drilled one to the Indians’ 6-yard line.

Seneca wasn’t bothered. Two plays later, the Indians struck on a 97-yard bomb caught at midfield, with Hernandez nearly breaking up the pass in coverage.

Another punt for Cassville set up Seneca for another one-two punch. A 36-yard pass up the middle set up a 24-yard slant untouched to the end zone for a 21-0 lead.

The Indians struck again on a 23-yard touchdown run, with Ethan Lamborn blocking the point-after attempt.

A Cassville fumble on the next drive turned to a Seneca 27-yard run for the 35-0 halftime scoreline.

Cassville came out of the locker room with gusto, forcing the first Indians’ punt and finding paydirt after.

On a shallow crossing route, Riley Ruark stretched for a ball and found the sideline and a key block at the 5 to go 60 yards to break the goose egg.

Seneca, however, returned to first-half form and capped an 80-yard drive with a 29-yard floater up the middle the receiver chased down to grab.

The remainder of the game saw a fast clock and backups getting minutes.

The Wildcats hit the road next Friday to face East Newton.