Canadian’s NASCAR offense speeds to 56-0 win

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: September 7, 2015

photo: Michael Kerrigan

Texas High School Football's Top Team in 2A DI downs Memphis

For football fans that see the Canadian Wildcats in person for the first time, they expect a lot of completed passes (something a Fox Southwest reporter called “Air Canada” that has stuck), and maybe even a lot of rushing yards from a state class backfield. However, little compares to the show they put on with what was originally called the NASCAR offense. The only thing that slowed down the snap of the ball by center, Logan Godino to QB Tanner Schafer was the official in charge of the spotting ball. It has proven to be one of the most efficiently coached no-huddle, spread offenses of any class in Texas.

Head Coach Chris Koetting calls it “playing fast”. Not only does playing fast keep defenses on their heels with less time to read offensive formations, this well-conditioned unit of Canadian is still going full throttle on a fatigued defense come the fourth quarter. Senior Captain WR/LB Sawyer Cook says each week’s game plan isn’t dependent on how fast the officials spot the ball for the offense or maintaining a rhythm. “We just can’t let it affect us moving the ball.” Cook spoke of Schafer’s calm, but deliberate demeanor as “contagious in the way he makes us run plays faster and be efficient.”

This fast paced, quick snapping offense continued its onslaught against area defenses Friday night victimizing Memphis to the tune of 49 points in the first half. Schafer was able to get all of the offensive work needed done in the first 19:18 of the game and rested his body and his stat sheet so reserve QB Corbin Douthitt could take over with 3:42 left in the 2nd quarter.

“Air Canada” Captain Tanner Schafer went 15 for 18, no INT, suffering only one sack from a blitzing Andrew Alexander and Matthew Haase of the Memphis defense. Of Schafer’s 15 completions, 4 were TD passes (52 yards, 15 yards, and 14 yards all to WR Cameron Copley an a14 yarder that ended with WR Ryan Royse diving at the pylon.) Three rushing TDs were tallied, 7 yards by Copley, 9 yards by RB Chance Cook, and a keeper by QB Douthitt from the 1 with 4:04 left. Canadian standout running back, Chance Cook (no relation to WR Sawyer Cook) had 32 yards rushing with a run of 29 yards called back due to a penalty as he shared first half minutes with RB Bailey Urschel and RB Mario Flores. Cook also had a punt return scooped up from the turf for 37 yards which electrified the visiting crowd.

Not to be outdone by the impressive show from their offensive, Canadian’s defense didn’t allow a Memphis first down in the first half along with providing their offense with two turnovers in first quaarter that were converted into points for the Wildcats. They then joined most of the starting offense on the sideline so the deep bench could get even more experience by playing the entire second half.

Next week Canadian will be on the road again to 4ADII Perryton to face HC David Flowers’ Rangers. Flowers, a former Canadian head coach and Perryton native, will have the Rangers ready to ignite the long time rivalry of the two Highway 83 schools.

By Jerry Brunson, Canadian Wildcats Correspondent