BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — BLACKSBURG - Fireworks filled the sky over T.A. Campbell. It was a perfect way for the Wildcats to celebrate their first win of the year as the excitement of big plays lit the way to a 35-12 Blacksburg victory.

In fact, by the time the Wildcats had run their seventh offensive play early in the third quarter, they held a 28-12 lead over visiting Dixie.

The Wildcats wasted no time in firing the first shot with a flea-flicker on their first offensive play. Josh Elmore threw to a wide open Chris Hames for a 55-yard touchdown.

“The opening play set the tone,” said Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss. “I thought we got started fast tonight. It gave us some confidence.”

While the Wildcats needed just one play to light up the scoreboard, the Hornets were churning up the field without much to show for it. They fumbled in Blacksburg territory on their first possession and saw a promising drive turn into a dud on the next. They took 15 plays to get to the Blacksburg 20 before turning it over on downs. Dixie retained their field position at the eight when Jamaal Byers intercepted a pass on the Wildcats’ next play. However, they moved backwards after that, and when the Hornets attempted a field goal, Blacksburg’s Ryan Green came up with the block and Chase Hames returned it 87 yards for the score.

Before the smoke had cleared, Blacksburg was in the end zone again thanks to a 70-yard touchdown run by Josh Ramirez.

“When you get two big penalties and a fumble (inside their 20) and you can’t stop the big play, this is the outcome you get,” said Hornets head coach Brian Gamble.

Dixie used their own big play to get back into the game before halftime. On their ensuing possession Byers connected with Kyle Friddle on a 66-yard touchdown pass. After recovering a fumbled kickoff, the Hornets gashed their way to another score behind the running of Jamaury Norman and Mario Washington, who plunged in from two yards out and finished with 136 yards on the ground.

The Wildcats would put the game away early in the second half when Josh Elmore broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run. Blacksburg added one last score in the fourth with Bradley Phillips’ 2-yard run, which was set up by a 49-yard scamper from Brandon Wilson.