Presbyterian Christian did two things that the past four opponents who traveled to Amite to take on Oak Forest couldn’t do, score points and more importantly earn a win. The 5th ranked Bobcats put together a balanced attack and held 4th ranked Oak Forest scoreless in the second half to top the Yellow Jackets 18-7 and improve to 4-1 and 1-0 in district play.
(Above) Presbyterian's James Akers (#5) on a successful 2 pt conversion
Presbyterian took the opening possession of the game and cut through the Oak Forest defense like butter driving 75 yards in four plays to take a quick 7-0 lead just 1:08 into the first quarter. Quarterback Brandon Sullivan connected with wide-out Cade Martin for 19 yards out to the Bobcat 44 on a 2nd and 9 and another 15 yards were added as Oak Forest was assessed a personal foul after the reception. With Presbyterian set up at the Yellow Jacket 39 yard line Tyler Young ripped off nine yards to the Oak Forest 30. On the next play Brandon Sullivan struck Cade Martin with a 30 yard touchdown pass to cap of the four play drive at the 10:52 mark of the opening quarter. Dylan Dearman added the PAT.
Oak Forest had success moving the football on their first possession as the Yellow Jackets used four different ball carriers to push the line of scrimmage from their own 20 yard to the Presbyterian 49 with just under six minutes remaining in the quarter but the Bobcat defense began to stiffen. Facing a 2nd and 6, Oak Forest quarterback Chris Gill was sacked by Presbyterian linebacker Micah Griffin for a loss of 5 yards back to the Yellow Jacket 46 yard line. Gill faced pressure on third down and managed to scramble four yards but the Jacket drive was thwarted. 
(Above) Presbyterian quarterback Brandon Sullivan (#15) gets heavy pressure from Oak Forest sophomore Rhase Riggins (#54)
Presbyterian looked to cash in on the game’s first turnover as Oak Forest tailback Josh Hughes put the pigskin on the ground and Blake Graves recovered at the Bobcat 41 yard line with 9:34 remaining in the half.
After picking up 36 yards in seven plays Presbyterian stalled at the Yellow Jacket 25 yard line and Dylan Dearman’s 42 yard field goal attempt fell short.
Oak Forest tied the game on an 80 yard, six play drive that was capped off by Blake Gill’s 5 yard keeper around the right end at the 3:45 mark of the second quarter. Homero Natal’s PAT knotted the game at 7-7.
Following a scoreless and very physical third quarter Presbyterian broke the game open with 4:05 left in the game. After the Oak Forest defense appeared to have halted a Bobcat drive at the Yellow Jacket 44 yard line Presbyterian punter Dylan Dearman made the play of the game as the senior caught Oak Forest napping and scampered 42 yards all the way down to the Oak Forest 2 yard line to set up a Blake Graves score with 3:34 remaining in the game. Presbyterian did the unthinkable on the PAT attempt as holder James Akers took the snap and scrambled into the end zone to give the Bobcats a 15-7 lead on the road.
Presbyterian’s defense held Oak Forest at bay and took over possession following an unsuccessful 4th down attempt from the Jackets at their own 19 yard line.
Dylan Dearman increased the lead with a 42 yard field goal with 1:44 remaining to give the Bobcats an 18-7 cushion. 
James Akers sealed the win as the senior defensive back intercepted an Oak Forest pass with 1:13 left in the game.
Presbyterian picked up 292 total yards on the night including 177 on the ground and 115 through the air.
Quarterback Brandon Sullivan led Presbyterian as the junior southpaw was 7/14 for 115 yards and 1 touchdown.
Oak Forest had 240 yards of total offense, all on the ground.
Senior tailback Josh Hughes led the Jackets with 97 yards on 5 carries.
Presbyterian will host Heritage next Friday while the Oak Forest Yellow Jackets (3-2 & 0-1) travel to Columbia.
Post game comments: Presbyterian Bobcats head coach Joey Hawkins
.
Photos courtesy of Lee Wheeler
