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Varnado’s Wildcats were defeated by Amite, 35-14, in the District 9-2A opener held Friday on the road.

“I’m really proud of my kids and their performance. We only took the field with 17 kids because we had some discipline issues with a few at school and practice. We have to get the discipline back the way it was when I was here before. Those 17 I brought played their tails off though. At the end of the first quarter it was 8-0 us and there was a point in the second half where it was 28-14 and driving, but we failed to convert a fourth down conversion which hurt,” Varnado coach Adam Brumfield said. “Then we got a little gassed in the fourth. (Amite) coach (Zephaniah) Powell has one of the best football teams in the state and he does a good job. I won’t be surprised if they are playing in the dome later this year. We got to get healthy when your numbers are small and you have four kids injured it’s really like having eight because they go both ways. I told my kids it’s never acceptable to lose but they earned a lot of respect on the field that night from me and everyone else who was at the game. We fought a heavyweight opponent Friday and even though we didn’t come out with the win like we wanted we put up a solid fight.”

Varnado is 2-4 this year.

Jamari Lewis completed all six of his pass attempts and threw for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Malik Patterson ran 16 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 29 yards. Defensively, he made five tackles.

Devonte Magee ran for 61 yards on 21 attempts.

Quovadis Bickham II caught three passes for 62 yards and score. On defense, Bickham recorded two tackles and an interception.

Defensively, Tyran Holmes made five tackles and forced a fumble.

Varnado’s next game will take place on Friday against Kentwood on the road.

“(On Friday) is Kentwood, who has a great program and always has a good football team and this year is no different,” Brumfield said. “We have to get healthy and some kids are going to have to grow up quick. You want those young kids to be able to be ready before you throw them out there against quality opponents. That way you can set them up for success, but sometimes when you’re at a small school and you have some injuries it’s next man  up. They get out there early and you just hope they’re ready. Well right now it’s next man up at Varnado.”

Kentwood comes in with a 2-2 overall record and 1-0 in district. Last week, Kentwood defeated Independence, 41-6.

The teams have met in each of the last two years with Kentwood winning both games. Last year’s game was 47-16.