Canadian Knocks Bangs from Postseason

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 18, 2019

Photos courtesy Alan Hale Photography

Canadian Captures Bi-District Crown Over Bangs 66-21

For the eighteenth consecutive season the Canadian Wildcats have survived the first round of the UIL football playoffs. It would appear to the casual football observer that this program has possibly lulled itself into taking first round teams for granted, however, the main reason why a record like that exists is because the Wildcats take NO team for granted. Head Coach Chris Koetting made it abundantly clear to his staff and players that the playoffs are sudden death to a loss. But the most impactful statement he makes each year is that “these are the games which this team will be remembered by”.

The Bangs Dragons came into this match with a (6-4) (4-3 Dist.) record and their eyes wide open. Everyone in the bracket wants a shot at Canadian, but preferably not in the first round. Although the Wildcats came out with a 10-play drive for the game’s first score by RB Hayze Hufstedler (8 carries for 115 yds, 4 TDs) from 13 yards out that took less than two minutes off the clock, the Dragons were ready to execute their own offensive plan.

Bangs first possession chipped away at Canadian’s defense for 10-plays, using 2-timeouts in the process. Then came the ultimate disappointment to lose the ball on a sack fumble by QB Brayton Wedeman knocked loose by DE Andrez Trejo and recovered by DT Colton Cooper. The Wildcat fast attack offense went on to score two more times in the first period with a 1 yard run by RB Jake Krehbiel and an 18 yard run by Hufstedler.

Leading 21-0 after the first period, Canadian’s peddle-to-the-metal offense was just getting warmed up for a 5 score second quarter. Hufstedler scored on TD runs of 50 and 3 yards, while QB Grant McCook (12-for-16, 251 yds, 2 TDs) displayed a little lightning in a bottle with consecutive TD passes to WR Twister Kelton for 31 and 63 yards. The Dragons created some excitement of their own when Freshman RB Guy Powell ran back a Canadian kickoff 95 yards. But the Wildcat offense was left with 1:48 to work with in the first half and put together a 7-play drive that ended with a 6 yard TD run by Jake Krehbiel.

Bangs opened up the third quarter scoring with an 18 yard TD pass from Wedeman to WR Wesley Mitchell, while Canadian’s K Edgar Salazar (9-for-9 PATs, 1 FG) was called out to make good on a 30 yard field goal.

Bangs added another score in the fourth period when Wedeman hit Powell for a TD pass from 35 yards out. Dragon kicker Tyler Butler added the third of three PATs he kicked on the night. One of the longest plays of the night from scrimmage for the Wildcats came with 6:45 left in the game from backup QB Ethan Jackson to WR Brice Wilkinson for 81 yards.

Canadian will now face Coahoma as they move on to the Area Round. That game is scheduled for Friday, November 22 nd , at Bulldog Stadium in Plainview, Texas, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. This will be Coahoma’s first return to the Area Round since the 2003 season when they won 21-20 over Ozona. Coahoma then lost to Panhandle 35-27 in the Regional Round.

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

Stats courtesy of Ron Shrader, CISD

1ST 2ND 3rd 4th Total
CANADIAN 21 35 3 7 - 66
BANGS 0 7 7 7 - 21

C – Hayze Hufstedler 14 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 10:07
C – Jake Krehbiel 1 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 3:50
C – Hayze Hufstedler 18 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 0:52

C – Hayze Hufstedler 50 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 10:43
C – Hayze Hufstedler 3 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 6:51
C – Twister Kelton 31 yd pass from McCook, (Edgar Salazar kick) 4:17
C – Twister Kelton 63 yd pass from McCook, (Edgar Salazar kick) 2:02
B – Guy Powell 95 yd kickoff return, (Tyler Butler kick) 1:48
C – Jake Krehbiel 6 yd run, (Edgar Salazar kick) 0:26

B – Wesley Mitchell 18 yd pass from Brayton Wedeman, (Tyler Butler kick) 8:53
C –Edgar Salazar 30 yd FG 6:39

B – Guy Powell 35 yd pass from Brayton Wedeman, (Tyler Butler kick) 9:02
C – Brice Wilkinson 81 yd pass from Ethen Jackson, (Edgar Salazar kick) 6:45

FIRST DOWNS: B – 9, C – 19
YDS RUSHING: B –72, C – 186
YDS PASSING: B – 134, C – 326
TOTAL YDS: B – 206, C – 512
COMP-ATT-INT: B – 9-12-1, C – 14-21-0
PUNTS-AVG: B – 6-34, C – 1-30
FUMBLES-LOST: B– 1-1 C – 1-0
PENALTIES: B – 3-18, C- 4-30

(click photosto see slideshow)

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Want to see how the Canadian teams stack up against some of the best all time?

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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.