Canadian Wins Game but Dimmitt Wins Hearts

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 7, 2017

Canadian Rolls On with Long Road Trip to Dimmitt

The pregame expectations on either sideline Friday night were probably interchangeable. When a State ranked team matches up with a district opponent that has only one win during the entire season, the results are highly probable. Upsets at this level are typically not even remotely possible. Despite the lack of parity and the point deficit posted on the scoreboard, the Dimmitt Bobcats would not be denied several shining moments during their last home game of the season celebrating Senior Night.

The Bobcat highlight of the evening came on the first play of the fourth quarter when senior Abraham Navarro (video highlight) took the handoff from QB Zach Navarro at their own 45-yard line and a host of Dimmitt blockers escorted Navarro to the end zone on the 55-yard run. Abraham Navarro has proven that special needs students can put in the hard work required in athletics and other extra-curricular activities offered by high school programs across Texas.

Canadian took the opening drive 63 yards in 8 plays scoring on a 3-yard run by RB Caleb Martinez (8-for- 68 yds). Edgar Salazar (2-for- 6 PATs) kicked the PAT low into the linemen and was recovered by DE Brenden Wyatt, who was unable to advance the ball for points. Salazar had a tough night coming off an 8-for-8 PAT game last week to miss twice and have two blocked. Bobcat DL Franciso Cabranes blocked one PAT to be advanced by DB Jake Kelsey to the 40-yard line before being forced out of bounds. Kelsey got in on the action again on the next PAT attempt with the block and DL Omar Ontiveros advanced the ball until holder Matthew Lynch knocked him down.

After each team traded 3-and-outs, Canadian’s next score came when QB Grant McCook (8-15- 181-3TD) fed the ball to Freshman RB Hayze Hufstedler (7-for- 56 yds) on four consecutive plays from the Bobcat 44-yard line ending with a 3-yard TD run. The 2-point conversion run by WR Bill Koetting was good.

After another Wildcat 12-yard rushing TD by RB Alexis Flores (5-for- 61 yds), McCook took to the air for a 19-yard pass TD to his older brother WR Garrison McCook (3-for- 39). McCook was just getting warmed up, as the next two TDs came through the air with a 21-yard strike to RB Caleb Martinez and an 80-yard bomb (which traveled 42-yards in the air) to WR Matthew Lynch.

The first half deluge of scoring would not end until WR Garrison McCook rushed 18-yards for a TD and RB Caleb Martinez ran another TD in from 8-yards. Wildcat Freshman QB Josh Culwell (5-for- 7, 74 yds, 1 TD) took over in the second half. The underclassman led the offense on a 9-play 80-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard TD run Hufstedler, before letting loose with a 34-yard TD pass to WR Twister Kelton.

State ranked Canadian will wrap up district play Friday by hosting the Tulia Hornets with an opportunity to remain undefeated and sweep their conference opponents as they enter the playoffs. Dimmitt will travel to Amarillo Highland Park to determine which team will not go winless on the District 1-3AD2 schedule.

Jerry Brunson for Lone Star Gridiron
@CHSWildcatNews

Stats courtesy of Steve Forrest, Canadian Sports Network