Cashion gets picky at OCA
Broadbent with two pick-6’s, Cats intercept 5 overall in win
TEAMMATES CELEBRATE in the background as Brandon Collier (53) barrels toward the end zone. The senior lineman scored on a 12-yard reception in the 82-6 victory over Oklahoma Christian Academy. [Photo by Brad Stone/www.bestone.shootproof.com]
Lynn Shackelford and Tony Wood are still upset.
When your team wins 82-6, it’s tough to find fault, but the Cashion head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, did.
“I’m still upset they scored,” Shackelford said.
Wood agreed.
“We accomplished two of our major goals, but, yes, I’m still ticked over the touchdown.”
Cashion, top-ranked in Class A and unbeaten, entered the game in Edmond with little to worry about against a one-win squad.
However, the opponent’s propensity to pile up yards through the air and boast of such prowess on social media provided the coaches something with which to motivate their players.
“Right before we started our 7-on-7 period in practice last Monday, I got all the secondary and linebackers together and said, ‘Look, here’s our goal this week: Six picks and we take at least two to the house.’
“It’s a little lofty, yes, but I knew they would literally throw it from start to finish, so we’d have a chance.”
Well, the Wildcats basically came through.
They did force six turnovers, although one was a fumble recovery.
Two of the five interceptions were returned for touchdowns, both by Justice Broadbent.
The junior ended Cash-ion’s 28-point fourth quarter with a 26-yard pick-six of James Henault.
He added another in the third quarter, this time from 44 yards out, to give Cashion its final score.
About the lone bright spot for the Eagles was a 63-yard touchdown toss from Henault to Noah Bosley in the second quarter.
Unfortunately for OCA, Cashion had already posted 41 points and had a few more to tack on before halftime.
After putting 28 on the scoreboard in the first, Cashion poured on 41 more in the second to lead 69-6 at halftime.
Most were short-field touchdowns. The six turnovers and OCA’s unwillingness to punt gave Cashion great field position all night.
“I think we started one drive on our side of the 50,” Shackelford said.
Ben Harman was 12 of 18 for 177 yards and five touchdowns and he rushed for another.
Two of those touchdown tosses went to Brexten Green. Alex Nabavi and Mason Manning also hauled in TD receptions.
But perhaps the most celebrated score came in the second quarter.
Shackelford called for “Horns Left” which was a tackle screen set up for senior lineman Brandon Collier.
Collier caught the pass from Harman, then the 6-foot-1, 290-pounder plowed toward the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown.
“It was a play I saw Texas run against West Virginia,” Shackelford said. “I thought it was really cool and wanted Brandon to scored a TD.”
Once Collier started running downhill, the Eagles had little chance of tackling him.
“He’s a big boy,” Shackelford said. “They really wanted no part of him. That really got everyone excited to see him score.”
In all, Cashion racked up a modest 422 yards. Of that, 245 came on just 27 carries.
T. J. Roberts had 74 yards and a touchdown.
Green ran for another 57 yards while Cade Harrell had 46 yards and a TD.
On the other side, Broad-bent had a team-high six tackles to go with his interceptions.
Alex Nabavi, Bryce Miller and Gavin Phippen also picked off passes.
Cashion upped its overall record to 5-0. The Wildcats are 3-0 in District A-3.
Cashion is off this week, but returns to action Oct. 25 when it travels to Watonga.