Canadian Downs Childress Again 35-20

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 12, 2017

Photos by Michael Kerrigan

A Rematch With a Lot More at Stake

After the District 1-3A DII opener in Childress on October 13, it was inevitable that the Wildcats of Canadian and the Bobcats of Childress would meet again. The 27-15 loss to Canadian that October night proved over the rest of the season that only Childress could play at the level required in Region I to beat the Wildcats. The Bobcats have experienced a revival of tradition, which has seen one the most physical, hard-hitting teams in Region I1 win out to face their district rivals in the State Quarterfinal. Canadian (14-0) qualifies for the State Semifinals for the fourth consecutive season and will face Gunter (14-0) in a rematch of last season’s semi, where Gunter went on to win a State Championship.

Childress had some momentum cranked up in the opening drive with a couple of first downs until a pass from QB Luke Latimer to WR Hunter Dowse became a classic tip drill that was intercepted by Wildcat DB Jack Koetting. Canadian’s offense misfired and couldn’t capitalize on the turnover going 3-and-out.

The Bobcats had just made another big 1st down when QB Luke Latimer fumbled on a keeper, giving up the possession to the Wildcats on their own 37-yard line. The next play would see Canadian take advantage of the 2nd turnover, perfectly executing a play action pass disguised by QB Casen Cavalier that sprung WR Garrison McCook on an uncovered route Cavalier dropped on McCook at the 7-yard line for the easy TD. Kicker Edgar Salazar made the first of his perfect 7-for-7 PATs on the night and Canadian had the lead 7-0 with 7:20 left in the 1st quarter.

Childress struggled to sustain their next two offensive drives before Canadian took a 10-play drive from their own 34-yard line and score again from the 1-yard line with a QB keeper by Cavalier.

The Bobcat offense was halted once again after 10 plays and 41 yards before both defenses forced 3-and-outs. Canadian was attempting to convert a 3rd & 4 with a quick out pass to WR Trent Evans when Bobcat DB Isaiah Darter jumped the route for a 31-yard pick-six with 7:29 left in the 2nd quarter.

The high tempo, NASCAR offense of the Wildcats went right to work again going 71-yards in 8 plays to score again on a 4-yard run by RB Hayze Hufstedler with 5:23 left in the half. Childress would then mount one of the most impressive drives of the night using almost four and one-half minutes with 14-plays to score on a Latimer keeper with 57 seconds left in the half. Kicker Jeffery Lucido earned a second try at a missed PAT via a roughing the kicker penalty making it a one score game going in at the break, Canadian 21, Childress 14.

The 3rd period turned into a scoreless knock-down-drag-out until Childress QB Latimer found his favorite target WR Joe Dan Gambol for a 38-yard reception to the Wildcat 17-yard line. Two plays later, Latimer hit RB Kaden Hunter across the middle in the end zone from 15-yards, but the PAT was no good, leaving the Bobcats 1-point short of a tie game at 21-20 with 4:42 left in the 3rd quarter.

Canadian would prove how important playing a strong 4th quarter is by shutting down the Bobcat scoring and keeping the tempo cranked up on the no huddle speed offense. With just less than a minute off the 4th quarter clock, Cavalier broke a couple of tackles up the middle for a 26-yard TD and with 3:45 left in the game, WR Matthew Lynch caught 36-yard TD pass from Cavalier to seal the Bobcats fate. Canadian’s last possession ran out the clock by taking a knee three times.

Childress ended a very successful 12-2 season seeing the Bobcats reach the State Quarterfinal round for the first time since 2005. Canadian, now having faced Childress twice (the toughest opponent they’ve played all season), must now prepare for the rematch of last season’s Semifinal with Gunter. The two teams will meet in Vernon, Friday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. The winner is scheduled to play the winner of the Boling versus Newton Semifinal for the State Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 21, at 7:00 p.m.

Jerry Brunson for Lone Star Gridiron
@CHSWildcatNews

Stats courtesy of Lance Lahnert, Amarillo-Globe News