Canadian In Playoff Form Against Tulia

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 2, 2020

Canadian Wraps Up Home Schedule With Win Against Tulia, 70-0

The Canadian Wildcats continue to cut through District 3-3ADII like any of the clichés you care to use, the hot knife, a bulldozer, etc. Week 10 produced the fourth consecutive game that the Wildcats scored over 60 points in the first half. To be precise, 249 points in 8 quarters of first half play. And just as in other first half scoring bonanzas, the defense was responsible yet again for another score.

However, the news about #1 ranked Canadian burning down scoreboards could pale in comparison to the possibility that their kicker, Edgar Salazar, could amend record books in coming weeks. The current Texas state record for career PATs made (all classes) is held by Chance Nevarez, of Aledo, with 304 from 2010-13. Salazar currently has (unofficially) 293, which would put him 3rd on the current list behind Adolfo Cordero, Refugio, with 296. Former legendary Canadian kicker Benigno Heredia ended his career with 263, currently listed in the 4th spot. Salazar has had an exceptional season thus far, not only closing in on a career PAT record, but he just recently hit a 40 yd FG, which attests to his range and accuracy. Salazar’s record watch is on.

Tulia made the long trip to Canadian knowing what had happened to the Wildcat opponents the three previous weeks. The Hornets, like any team in District 3-3ADII, had a plan and some hope that they could avoid what they had already read in the papers or studied in the film room. First year Head Coach Steven Coursey has seen plenty of Canadian up close having spent 8-years at Perryton. Coursey, no doubt gave them a plan and some hope for better results than the last three opponents.

But the opening kickoff return by WR Twister Kelton gave Canadian only 55 yds of field to navigate for the first Wildcat score 5-plays later with a 11 yd TD pass from QB Josh Culwell (17-19, 300 yds, 5-TDs) to a hurdling RB Hayze Hufstedler (9 carries for 89 yds rushing, 3 TDs, 2 for 24 yds receiving, 1 pass TD) after the catch. The Hornets had the Wildcats 3rd and 8 to go on that drive, but a 24 yd reception across the middle to WR Gary Anderson set up the quick score.

Tulia came out against a Canadian defense that in many ways can be compared to the no-huddle fast-pace their offense is known for. The best description yet has been “swarming”. Much like a bee hive that’s been stirred up, just when you think you’ve escaped two or three bees about to zero in to sting you, three or four more are already there to get a sting in also. And as bees will sacrifice their life with a sting, so are the Canadian defenders who sacrifice their bodies to make defensive plays.

They have been coached by Defensive Coordinator Andy Cavalier that if at all possible, every man is expected to arrive at the ball before the play is whistled dead. And sometimes, amazingly, that happens. First Hornet series: 3-and-out.

The Wildcats got to start at their 45 yd line again, and Hufstedler rips of a 28 yd run. Culwell throws one of his 2-incompletions of the night, then WR Gary Anderson takes a reverse pitch from Hufstedler for a 20 yd gainer down to the 7 yd line. Two plays later Hufstedler takes in the TD from 3 yds out. The Hornets were unable to advance the ball again, eventually punting from their own end zone barely escaping a safety from a pursuing DB Camren Cavalier. The next 4-play, 37 yd drive ended with a 16 yd TD pass to RB Landon Smith from Culwell.

Hornet QB Brayden Franco found himself taking snaps in their own end zone and on a 3 rd -and-7 to go Franco couldn’t control a low snap and the Wildcat pressure had him for a sure safety. Until Franco fumbled the ball and DB Angel Garcia covered for a Canadian TD. The first quarter was finally over, but the chaos that the Wildcats were generating for the Hornets wasn’t.

After WR Twister Kelton hauled in a 7 yd TD pass from Culwell with 11:40 left in the second quarter, Franco and company put together an 11-play 39 yd drive, eating up 5 minutes of clock, that ended on the 17 yd line with a failed 4 th down and 4 to go conversion attempt due to a big sack for a loss by DE Colton Cooper. The effort proved that the Hornets weren’t about to quit by taking the ball into the red zone. But the Wildcat offense continued to run like a well-oiled machine with and would open up the Tulia defense for another Hufstedler TD run from 15 yds out and Culwell would pass to WR Reagan Cochran for a 5 yd TD and yet another to WR Gary Anderson from 22 yds with 0:25 left in the first half.

The second half settled down in comparison with a running clock and the bench taking over for the Canadian starters. Wildcat Freshman standout RB Luke Flowers took in a 1 yd TD with 5:18 left in Q3 ending the game’s scoring. The Hornets, unfortunately, couldn’t crack through for a score in the second half, being shutout 70-0.

Next week will end the District 3-3ADII conference play as Canadian travels to an old rival and another state ranked team, Childress. No one will be expecting a 60+ point first half by the Wildcats against a team as good as (#10) Childress and everyone in the Panhandle knows how difficult it is to pull out a win at Childress’ historic Fair Park Stadium.

The Week 6 Canadian v (#6) Spearman matchup that had to be forfeited by Spearman due to Covid still has a chance to materialize again in the playoffs, but Spearman defeated Childress 43-36 at home, paving the way to a second seeding unless Childress can pull off the upset on Canadian next Friday night, November the 20th.

by Jerry Brunson
@CHSWildcatNews – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Stats and scoring courtesy of Ron Shader, Canadian ISD

CANADIAN 35 28 7 0 - 70
TULIA 0 0 0 0 - 0

Photos by Alan Hale Photography

SCORING

CAN – Hayze Hufstedler 11 yd pass from Josh Culwell (Salazar kick good) 10:13
CAN – Hayze Hufstedler 3 yd run (Salazar kick good) 7:31
CAN – Hayze Hufstedler 1 yd run (Salazar kick good) 4:54
CAN – Landon Smith 19 yd pass from Culwell (Salazar kick good) 2:32
CAN – Angel Garcia fumble recovery in end zone (Salazar kick good) 1:44

CAN – Twister Kelton 6 yd pass from Culwell (Salazar kick good) 11:40
CAN – Hayze Hufstedler 15 yd run (Salazar kick good) 6:30
CAN – Reagan Cochran 5 yd pass from Culwell (Salazar kick good) 3:46
CAN – Gary Anderson 22 yd pass from Culwell (Salazar kick good) 0:25

CAN – Luke Flowers 1 yd run (Salazar kick good) 5:18

NO SCORES

STATISTICS

TUL CAN
First Downs 6 25
Yards rushing 14 201
Yards passing 75 338
Total yards 89 539
Comp-Att-Int 9-32-0 20-23-0
Punts 6-34 1-14
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Penalties 7-65 4-55

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

We have the 2015 Championship and 2017 teams already created and football fans and game board players around the world are coaching the Canadian Wildcats against some of the greatest teams in history.

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.