The Opp Bobcats’ junior varsity football team kicked off the season with a 30-22 victory over the Geneva Panthers on Monday night in Opp.

Both defenses started the game strong and kept the game scoreless after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Panthers got on the board first, but failed on the two-point conversion.

The Panthers then stopped the Bobcats and took back over on offense.

A few plays later, Emilio Skanes recovered a Panther fumble and took it 44 yards to the end zone. The Bobcats tacked on the two-point conversion to take an 8-6 lead.

The lead exchanged hands few times in third quarter, but at the end of the three quarters, the Bobcats were on top 22-14.

Geneva battled back and tied the game early in the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats responded with another score and two-point conversion to take a 30-22 lead.

The Bobcats then held the Panthers on five-straight plays inside the red zone to come away with a 30-22 victory.

Ashton Patel led the way for the Bobcats with 112 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

Lane Ballard added 39 yards and one rushing touchdown. Ballard completed 2-of-7 passes for 42 yards.

Jaydon Lacey had one catch for 42 yards.

On defense, Dylan Doster tallied 10 tackles to pace the Bobcat defense.

Elijah Lindsey finished with nine tackles, Drake King added eight tackles and Kevin Parreria came in with seven tackles.