Canadian Downs Tulia 62-7

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 13, 2017

Photos by Michael Kerrigan

Wildcats Sweep District 1-3A DII

Friday’s last home game of the season at Canadian’s Wildcat Stadium produced another blowout for the Wildcats, even though the Tulia Hornets had plans to avoid the devastation three of the other four conference teams had suffered. The only team in District 1-3A DII that came close to matching up with Canadian was Childress, which should find success in the playoffs along with Canadian. After Tulia deferred and kicked off to the Wildcats, QB Grant McCook (9-9, 85 yds) took the first drive 51 yards in nine plays ending with a 4-yard TD run by RB Alexis Flores (13 carries for 76 yds) with the PAT good by K Edgar Salazar.

The Hornets went right to work against the Wildcat’s dominating defense in their first series, picking up a couple of first downs, but also a couple of penalties. That forced them to punt from their own 29-yard line, but the Hornets defense caused Canadian’s next drive to stall out at mid-field.

The first play of the next Tulia offensive series became the only fireworks that the Hornets offense would be able to light in this game. QB Shawn Kelly handed off to RB Kye Basaldua on a counter that Basaldua cut back to the right and made it around the edge. Twenty yards downfield three Wildcats interfered with each other on the pursuit springing the speedy Basaldua for the 78 yard TD. The PAT by K Alfredo Avila was good.

Speaking of fireworks, the Canadian offense would provide the sparkles and the booms the rest of the game on the field and the Wildcat Booster Club provided real professional quality fireworks after the game celebrating Senior Night and an undefeated season going into the playoffs.

Canadian would score two more times on the ground before the 1st quarter ended, a 6 yard run by Fr. RB Hayze Hufstedler and a 3 yard run by Sr. RB Alexis Flores.

The 2nd quarter saw the Wildcats score on two more runs, a 20 yard scamper by RB Caleb Martinez. K Edgar Salazar produced 7 of 8 PATs on the night.

This night would see the return of Wildcat Jr. QB Casen Cavalier after several weeks out with an injury. Cavalier went 5 of 7 with 60 yards passing after Soph. QB Grant McCook did the early damage throwing 9 for 9 and 85 yards. The Fr. QB Josh Culwell got reps for the third consecutive week also, bringing together a deep quarterback corps for the playoff season.

Canadian’s first score in the 3rd quarter came in the form of a very good imitation of Chicago Bear “Refrigerator Perry” from the ‘80s. Offensive & defensive lineman Tyler Richardson took the hand-off from Cavalier one yard out to honor the Sr. Captain with his own TD on Senior Night. Richardson’s score was followed by a five yard TD run by RB Christian Garcia and the lone passing score of the night, a 15 yard Cavalier-to-Lynch connection. The Wildcats wrapped up the scoring in the 4th quarter with Garcia punching in another TD from 6 yards out. Who would have predicted Canadian’s air raid style offense would score only one passing TD out of nine total TDs?

The Wildcats completed the five game sweep of District 1-3A DII by outscoring their conference opponents 284 to 37 with 2,041 total yards while the defense allowed only 514 yards. Canadian (10-0, 5-0) will face Stanton (2-8, 1-3) in the Bi-District round next Thursday in Plainview. Other District 1-3A teams in the playoff bracket are Tulia, to play Colorado City, Spearman vs Coahoma, and Childress vs Idalou. A new season begins this weekend. Win or go home.

Jerry Brunson for Lone Star Gridiron
@CHSWildcatNews

Stats courtesy of Ron Shrader, Canadian ISD