The most exciting game of the weekend took place at Ferndale on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats kicked off their new campaign with a 20-14 overtime loss to Fall River.

Senior Trent Titus got his final high school season off to an impressive start and helped set the tone for the Wildcats, who held a six-point halftime lead and stretched the advantage to two TDs before a late rally by the visitors forced overtime.

The Cats broke the deadlock on the final play of the first half, when Titus ran into the end zone from five yards out to give them the lead.

After the PAT was blocked, the home team led 6-0 at the break.

The senior running back found the end zone a second time in the third quarter, this time on a 36-yard TD run, and quarterback Tanner Pidgeon then threw to Thomas Fergison for a successful two-point conversion to put the Wildcats up 14-0.

However, the visitors, who were 12-0 last year, would rally to tie the game.

After a big run gave them possession inside the Ferndale 10 late in the third quarter, the Cats defense held firm until fourth down.

But the Bulldogs would score on a fourth-down play action pass to put them on the board.

The two teams then traded possessions, before the visitors found the end zone a second time and added a two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14.

The Wildcats had an opportunity to win the game late in regulation after marching all the way inside the Fall River 10, but a false start and a negative play moved them outside the red zone and ended the scoring threat.

The Cats had the opening possession of the extra period but were held, and the Bulldogs then scored on a play action pass to pull out the victory.

Despite the loss, there were several bright spots for Ferndale, including the play of Titus, who looks set for a big senior campaign.

“Extremely pleased with the way Trent Titus played offensively and defensively,” Ferndale head coach Clint McClurg said of the running back/linebacker. “He really showed that he is going to be a big-time playmaker for us this season.”

A pair of younger players also impressed in the season opener.

“I’m excited about sophomores Prescott Langer and Ethan Wietzel,” McClurg said. “The way Prescott plays with speed and physicality is what us football guys love. 

“Ethan Weitzel has the heart of champion, and continues to display leadership up front in the trenches.”

The Wildcats will try to bounce back when they play at Fort Bragg on Friday night.

The Timberwolves are coming off a 42-27 win at South Fork in their season opener.

The Ferndale JVs, meanwhile, kicked off the new season in style with a comfortable 52-0 win over Fall River.