Cascade Christian wraps up first unbeaten common season in 10 years
It was purported to be one other nail-biting battle to the top Friday evening as Cascade Christian and South Umpqua squared off at Lithia & Driveway Fields.
The Challengers, nevertheless, both didn’t get that memo or disregarded it utterly.
Taking part in for the Far West League title towards their fellow undefeated Lancers, the Challengers shrugged off an early deficit with regular play on either side of the ball to safe a powerful 35-6 victory.
Each groups had entered the sport tied at No. 2 total within the Class 3A state energy rankings, however it was Cascade Christian that clinched home-field benefit for the playoffs by registering its first unbeaten common season in 10 years. The Challengers stand 9-0 after enjoying a FWL-only schedule this season.
“It’s an ideal group of men they usually’ve been working onerous for it coming off final 12 months,” stated Challengers head coach Jon Gettman. “They know the way shut they have been and so that gives further motivation.”
Additionally boosting Cascade alongside was a 28-26 heartbreaking loss suffered one 12 months in the past towards South Umpqua.
“As a competitor, you bear in mind the losses,” stated Gettman, who has solely endured 28 total in his thirteenth season on the helm. “They damage they usually proved the motivation for the drive in entrance of you.”
South Umpqua (8-1, 8-1 FWL) confirmed it had loads of drive early on, taking the opening kickoff and marching downfield earlier than capping the scoring drive with an 8-yard cross from Jace Johnson to Isaac Actual. A two-point conversion cross was deflected to maintain it at 6-0.
“That was an ideal drive they put collectively, very methodical,” stated Gettman. “They ran the ball and handed the ball actually effectively and received us out of place just a few instances.”
Little did anybody know that might be the Lancers’ solely scoring drive of the evening.
Cascade Christian put up a direct reply when senior quarterback Keith Reed moved to his proper below stress however by no means introduced his eyes down to find junior receiver Peyton Maurer downfield for a 50-yard scoring strike.
“The cross from Keith to Peyton to begin it, that basically received the momentum again for us,” stated Gettman, “and after that we have been in a position to preserve it.”
After a defensive cease, the Challengers constructed a 14-6 cushion when Kameron Rague discovered a gaping gap created by his offensive line and burst 24 yards for a second-quarter landing with 1:35 to go till halftime.
Gettman stated he and his teaching workers would’ve been completely happy to take that one-score lead into intermission however sophomore cornerback Drew Corridor had different plans, stepping in entrance of a Johnson cross in the midst of the sector and returning it to the Lancers’ 28-yard line.
Shortly thereafter, Reed slipped a fast cross out into the flat to senior Brody Pattern, who tucked behind a block after which made his manner down the sideline for a TD with 16 seconds remaining within the second quarter to make it 21-6.
“We received that choose proper earlier than halftime and actually that was a back-breaker,” stated Gettman.
Corridor was a late addition to the Cascade Christian group after transferring from South Medford however has made a direct impression. A standout soccer participant in his youth soccer days, Corridor had centered extra on basketball lately earlier than deciding to don the pads once more.
“He makes picks,” stated Gettman of Corridor. “We received him out in a while within the season and he actually has been a game-changer for us. He’s a sensible, cerebral child. Even the choose he had tonight, he had really come off his man, noticed what was taking place and made the play. You’ll be able to coach them up however when it comes all the way down to it, you’ve received athletes they usually make performs and that’s what he did for us.”
The landslide continued within the second half, with Tyler Almasy — moved from security to cornerback — pulling in an interception after a cross by Johnson was tipped close to the road of scrimmage and floated towards the sideline. As soon as once more, the Challengers capitalized on the turnover with a 1-yard TD run by reed to make it 28-6.
On the following collection, senior Liam Benade lived out each defensive lineman’s dream when he made a leaping interception on an meant display cross by Johnson and returned it 38 yards for a landing.
“It was only a nice particular person play,” stated Gettman of the 6-foot-2, 245-pounder. “He learn display and coach is all the time yelling at him, ‘If it’s straightforward, it’s incorrect,’ and he stopped and took a step again. I believed he’d simply knock it down however he caught it and it was nice to see him rating. That’s superior to see a defensive lineman get into the top zone.”
It was the cherry on high of a defensive effort that restricted Johnson, one of many high 3A quarterbacks within the state, to 14-for-32 passing for 91 yards. South Umpqua managed solely 161 yards of whole offense.
“I believe that was the most important key, simply having the ability to maintain in him within the pocket,” stated Gettman. “That’s all the time a harmful factor with how effectively he can throw the ball, however these large performs are when he’s in a position to break the pocket and create. Coach (Mike) Schann did a wonderful job all week to get them prepared and the youngsters executed the sport plan and made the performs that wanted to be made.”
Reed accomplished 12 of 17 passes for 140 yards with one interception, whereas Rague added 59 yards speeding on 10 carries. Maurer had three catches for 78 yards and Pattern added six for 48 yards.
Defensively, Triston Wallace had seven tackles and Corridor added six to steer the Challengers.
South Umpqua6000—6
Cascade Christian714140—35
SU — Actual 8 cross from Johnson (cross failed)
CC — Maurer 50 cross from Reed (Hoffman kick)
CC — Rague 24 run (Hoffman kick)
CC — Pattern 28 cross from Reed (Hoffman kick)
CC — Reed 1 run (Hoffman kick)
CC — Benade 38 interception return (Hoffman kick)
Have a narrative concept? Attain sports activities editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@rosebudmedia.com or by way of Twitter @Kris_Henry
Cascade Christian’s Kameron Rague (5) finds a gap for the Challengers’ second landing of the sport on Friday towards South Umpqua. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian’s Peyton Maurer (13) hauls in a protracted cross for the Challengers’ first landing in Friday evening’s recreation towards South Umpqua. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian’s Drew Corridor (11) runs previous South Umpqua tacklers throughout Friday evening’s recreation. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian quarterback Keith Reed prepares to throw a protracted landing cross to Peyton Maurer within the first quarter towards South Umpqua on Friday ngith. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian’s Brody Pattern (10) escapes a trio of South Umpqua defenders to attain a 3rd landing on the finish of the second quarter on Friday. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian’s Kristofer Fralich and Isaac Simpson of South Umpqua, battle for a cross ultimately zone on Friday evening. Picture by Denise Baratta.
Cascade Christian’s Cole Shields (2) tackles South Umpqua’s Jacob Logan throughout Friday evening’s recreation. Picture by Denise Baratta.
