Top Ranked Canadian Sends Message

49-0 Shutout of #2 Albany

VERNON, TX - In a much-anticipated game from the time it was scheduled last summer, the Canadian Wildcats allowed the hype to drift through the media like the aroma of Momma’s home baked bread before meeting the Class 2A DII #2 ranked Albany Lions at a neutral field in Vernon and then eating every loaf of bread Momma baked.

One headline used to describe Canadian was ‘untested’ due to the inordinate amount of points they have scored in the first 4 weeks (191) holding their opponents to only 33 points. The test would come, they said, when the Wildcats would line up with #2 ranked 2A DII power Albany and in the process would also produce the 2A Game of the Week in the State of Texas. The result was an uncontested shut-out of Albany, a worthy undefeated opponent accustomed to scoring an average of 43 points in their first 4 games this season. The Wildcats have now chalked up a scoring differential of 240-33 on opponents in the last 5 games.

Canadian’s fast snapping NASCAR/Air Canada offense for the third week in a row broke the sound barrier again on their first drive scoring in 2 minutes and 8 seconds going 80 yards in 8 plays, which was aided by a 43 yard pass from QB Tanner Schafer to RB Chance Cook down to the 1 yard line, capped off by a 1 yard dive into the end zone by RB Cooper Trolinger. Cook (81 yards on 15 carries) added another 1 yard TD run with 3:22 left in the first quarter.

Although the Lions might have been a little stunned to see a 14 point deficit with only 8 minutes and 38 seconds off the clock, it was their struggle offensively against the Wildcat defense that would evoke wide-awake nightmares. The Lions could only produce 85 yards of total offense with 11 possessions, 9 of which resulted in punts, the other 2 turned over on downs.

The passing attack Albany has had success with recently was completely disrupted by the quick defensive ends of Canadian, Cory Chidester and Cooper Trolinger. Lion QB Drew Neece suffered the onslaught of hurry-ups and sacks all night with several long yardage passes dropped to round off his headache. Lions Head Coach Denny Faith said of DE Chidester: “I don’t think we blocked No. 15 all night. That kid is a player. We saw that coming in. Nobody has blocked him all year. They are so fast on defense.”

Canadian QB Tanner Schafer produced his first 400 yard plus passing game of the year, spreading the receiving yards to a who’s who of Wildcat players. Manny Ramsey and Ryan Royse both caught TD passes in the 2nd quarter, while Sawyer Cook and Cameron Copley (6 catches for 166 yards) both took their turn to step into the end zone with the pigskin delivered by Schafer in the 3rd quarter. Schafer’s stellar night was dimmed momentarily by giving up his first INT of the season by Lion OLB Hunter Owen in the 2nd quarter. The scoring finally came to a halt with 7:13 left in the 4th quarter with a tough 5 yard run by RB Bailey Urschel with the help of many reserve players on the offense by that time. Canadian finished with 542 total yards.

The Wildcats head into their open week to prepare for the District 1-2A DI opener with Stinnett West Texas on October the 9th. Most high school football analysts are saying the Stratford Elks (@Stratford Oct. 23rd) to be the next threat to Canadian’s win streak (20-0 straight) and a road block to the Wildcats opportunity to defend their State Title in Houston come December, knowing the two teams met again after District play in the Region Championship Final in 2014. The bullseye on Canadian is getting bigger and after this week, everyone is playing for keeps.

By Jerry Brunson, Canadian Wildcats Correspondent

Photos by Michael Kerrigan

Stats courtesy of Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News Sports Editor

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Scoring

First Quarter

C—Cooper Trolinger 2 run (Benigno Heredia kick), 9:52

C—Chance Cook 1 run (Heredia kick), 3:22

Second Quarter

C—Manny Ramsey 12 pass from Tanner Schafer (Heredia kick), 7:03

C—Ryan Royse 16 pass from Schafer (Heredia kick), 1:43

Third Quarter

C—Sawyer Cook 10 pass from Schafer (Heredia kick), 9:34

C—Cameron Copley 6 pass from Schafer (Heredia kick), 2:35

Fourth Quarter

C—Bailey Urschel 5 run (Heredia kick), 7:13 Albany Canadian

First Downs 6 26

Rushing Yards 46 136

Passing Yards 39 406

Total Yards 85 542

C-A-I 6-22-0 23-31-406

Punts-Avg. 9-31.5 2-31.5

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 5-40 11-75

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