The UIL 2016-2018 redistricting mixed things up. Some teams merely changed districts, but for some, they had to open the season in a new classification. The Canadian Wildcats was one of those teams—moving from 2A to 3A.
What was intriguing about Canadian’s move up to 3A was the fact that they had been so successful in 2A. The Wildcats won two straight state championships from 2014-2015 while in the 2A-Region 1 playoff classification. Not to mention their lengthy 31-game winning streak over the past two seasons.
The Wildcats opened their 3A campaign with a heartbreaking 38-35 loss to Bushland in the opening week. Despite all the success in 2A, the 31-game winning streak is over just like that.
But don’t count them out, yet.
Head coach Chris Koetting has a history of success. Koetting has only lost 11 games since taking over the reins in 2010. Not to mention the two state titles (and perfect seasons) in 2014-2015.
Now, the Wildcats will need to look for answers if they want to compete in 3A. The schedule only gets tougher from here with games against Stratford, Perryton and Spearman.
Luckily for the Wildcats, they weren’t the only team in district one 3A-2 to lose. Only the Dimmitt Bobcats won their opening game. The rest of the teams in the district fell in relatively close games.
So, there is still hope for the Canadian fans; they just need to be patient during this adjustment period.
To be fair, in order to end a 31-game winning streak you need a near perfect game from the opposing quarterback. That’s exactly the type of game Bushland junior quarterback Colton Moore had. Moore passed for 322 yards and four touchdowns meanwhile he also ran for another.
The next game for the Canadian Wildcats is against Amarillo River Road on Sept. 2. As one streak ends, another begins—though, hopefully not a losing streak for the Wildcats. Welcome to 3A, Canadian.
