Canadian Rolling Through District 3-3ADII

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 29, 2019

Canadian vs Friona 2019 - Alan Hale Photography

Photos courtesy Alan Hale Photography

Friona Latest Victim 57-0

After the Northern Panhandle was hit with an unexpected 6-9 inches of snow on the Thursday prior to game day many gridirons in the area were being cleared off Friday for scheduled games, (#1 3A DII) Canadian included. Canadian ISD employees and volunteers from the community waited until about 3 hours before game time to begin the process and had completed the task in time for pregame activities. Before and after photos drifted through social media giving much credit to everyone that helped with the clearing effort.

Friona came to town having a snow day off from school hoping to rekindle the fire they had during their pre-conference schedule as a 5-0 record had earned them a ranking in the top 10, as high a #6 at one time. However, the Chieftains hit some turbulent air when they traveled to Childress and fell 27-7 to the Bobcats quite unexpectedly. That game most likely cost them the number two seeding from District 3-3ADII as they finish the schedule as favorites over Tulia and Dimmitt, predictably taking the number three spot.

Canadian continues to add back players that have been on injured reserve with just a few exceptions. It was apparent during the second half that the quality play from the bench is due to a lot of minutes played this season by backups during the healing process for injured starters.

The Wildcats started with good field position after the opening kickoff and the second play from scrimmage with only 44 seconds off the clock, WR Twister Kelton (3catches for 74 yds and 2 TDs) took an end-around pitch from RB Hayze Hufstedler (10 carries for 98 yds and 2 TDs) and cut off of great blocks for a 46 yard TD. The Canadian “play fast” NASCAR offense was just getting warmed up. It would be Hufstedler’s turn next with a 13 yard TD and QB Grant McCook (18-25-0 passing for 285 yds) would score on a 1 yard run less than five minutes later ending the first period with a 21-0 lead.

The second quarter was likened to a tsunami wave even compared to the first. McCook launched the long ball to Kelton for a 50 yard TD, then after yet another defensive stop of the Chieftains, McCook took a keeper play up the middle for 53 yards. The next drive saw McCook hit WR Reagan Cochran for a 3 yard TD pass, prior to another Hufstedler rushing TD form 3 yards out. Squeezing every last second out of the clock, with only 14 ticks left in the half, McCook connected with WR Bill Koetting (3 catches for 79 yards) on a screen pass for a 40 yard TD. A high snap to McCook holding for K Edgar Salazar forced an impromptu pass by McCook to Cochran and a one-handed grab for the 2-point conversion. Salazar was 7-for-7 PATs due to no attempt on the 2-point play. RB Jake Krehbiel also had 3 catches for 61 yards in the first half which helped total up 492 yards offense for the Wildcats in the first half alone.

Obviously, the Chieftains could not get tapped off against the speedy, hard hitting Wildcat defense that held them to 22 total yards in the first half. The second half was typical of large point leads by Canadian with the starters cheering on the backups for the rest of the game. Head Coach Chris Koetting in an interview with KXDJ radio’s Chris Samples said, “Probably the thing I was most proud about in that game was, it was 57 to nothing at halftime and our backups played the whole second half. And, you know, they kept them [Friona] from scoring and we moved the ball offensively. You know this is a team that’s probably going to go to the playoffs, maybe our third-place team and I was just so proud of our backups…”

Next week Canadian will play their last home stand of the season and celebrate Senior Night. Friona will also be at home to host Tulia for their last home game also.

by Jerry Brunson
@CHSWildcatNews – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Stats courtesy of Ron Shrader, Canadian ISD

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total

CANADIAN 21 36 0 0 - 57
Friona 0 0 0 0 - 0

Can – Twister Kelton 46 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 11:16
Can – Hayze Hufstedler 13 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 8:30
Can – Grant McCook 1 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 3:55

Can – Twister Kelton 50 yd pass from McCook, (Edgar Salazar kick) 11:50
Can – Grant McCook 53 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 8:17
Can – Reagan Cochran 3 yd pass from McCook, (Edgar Salazar kick) 6:11
Can – Hayze Hufstedler 13 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 4:43
Can – Bill Koetting 40 yd pass from McCook, (Cochran pass from McCook 2-pt conv)
0:14

NO SCORES

FIRST DOWNS: F – 11, Can – 24
YDS RUSHING: F –70, Can – 265
YDS PASSING: F – 125, Can – 312
TOTAL YDS: F – 195, Can – 577
COMP-ATT-INT: F – 16-30-1, Can – 21-30-0
PUNTS-AVG: F – 7-34, Can – 3-43
FUMBLES-LOST: F – 0-0, Can – 1-1
PENALTIES: F – 3-20, Can - 4-45

(click pictures to see slideshow)

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2015 Canadian - The Wildcats won the Class 2A Division I State Championship with a convincing 41 point win over Gulf Coast power Refugio. This was Canadian's 4th Championship win in 5 Championship games since 2007.

2017 Canadian - The Wildcats extended their winning streak to 16 years. All 16 years they have had 8+ wins. This team made it to the Semifinals with a high scoring offense and great defense.