By Jerry Brunson, Canadian Wildcats Correspondent
PERRYTON, TX – After winning the coin toss and receiving the kickoff, QB Tanner Schafer wasted no time shifting the Canadian NASCAR offense into high gear for 70 yards and the first score of the game only 1-minute and 16-seconds of the clock’s initial countdown. 65 yards of aerial strafing to set up the last 4 yard rushing TD, (the first of 3 in the 1st quarter) by RB Chance Cook was merely a preview of the rest of Perryton’s night hosting the defending 2ADI State Champion Wildcats who loaded their bus with a barrage of offensive weapons and a ball hawking defense.
Canadian amassed 546 total yards offense and held the Rangers to 170 total yards leading to a 52-6 final score. The match brings together two agricultural/oilfield industry communities that are separated by 45 miles of US Highway 83 and the beginning of a debate whether it is really a rivalry as it once was or not. It appears that the Wildcats face every opponent on their schedule as rivals and chose to end the debate by lighting up the “Visitors” side of the scoreboard on this evening’s conclusion to a day of 9/11 remembrances.
Canadian’s QB Schafer went 28 for 43 and 284 yards while in “Air Canada” mode, one 20 yard connection to WR Sawyer Cook went for a TD thanks to Cook’s consistent yards-after-catch abilities. Cook was 8 for 133 yards to lead the Canadian receiver corps; WR Cameron Copley tallied 8 for 76 receiving yards with good contributions from Ryan Royse and Manny Ramsey, and Chance Cook.
RB Chance Cook surpassed most area RB’s entire weekend in the just first quarter with the ‘hat trick’ of TDs from 4, 18, and 13 yards out. Cook finished the night with 157 total yards rushing & 33 yards receiving. When asked about his performance he remained close to the ground saying “We’re just playing football, having fun.” Cook eased up just enough to make room for several of his teammates in on the scoring frenzy, WR Sawyer Cook, had a 20 yard TD pass reception, a 35 yard run-for-the-money by RB Cooper Trolinger, and a QB keeper from 7 yards out by Corbin Douthitt. With 6:08 left in the 2nd quarter, Canadian’s All-State kicker Benigno Heredia saved a stalled out Wildcat drive by splitting the uprights with a 38 yard FG.
The Wildcat’s had RB/LB Mario Flores chalk up a 10 yard scoop and score while working with the tenacious ball stripping defense, along with DE Cory Chidester marking two more sacks on the night.
One of the few bright and shining moments for the Rangers came with 9:56 left in the second quarter when QB Hadley Allred hit WR Dalton Rigdon in the End Zone from 37 yards out, placing the ball inches over the reach of Canadian DB Cameron Copley’s coverage. And just like how most of the night went for Perryton, Canadian blocked the point-after attempt.
Next week Canadian gets to park the buses and host the 3A Childress Bobcats at home. Although Perryton defeated Childress on 9/4/15, 30-22, the Bobcats will not be intimidated by the lopsided scoring exhibition by Canadian while visiting Perryton. Childress had their own romp on 9/11/15 against Lamesa to the tune of 50-0, lifting their spirits and attitude as they prepare to take the only shot they’ll have this season of taking down the Wildcats. And Canadian will prepare for Childress as if they were true rivals, whether the definition fits or not.
