Cashion, Pawhuska to meet again in semifinal

A pair of semifinal opponents in this year’s Class A playoff bracket will have taken similar paths when Cashion and Pawhuska meet again.

The two play at 7 p.m. Friday at Ponca City for a spot in the following week’s title game.

Cashion (12-1) lost its season opener to Rejoice Christian, but has since rattled off 12 consecutive wins.

Pawhuska (11-2) started its season 1-2 after narrow losses to Victory Christian and Hominy.

The Huskies enter the semifinals on a 10-game win streak.

“They’re good. Really good,” said Cashion coach Lynn Shackelford. “Just like us, they lost some really good players from a year ago, but also had plenty coming back.”

In a matchup of two of the state’s best offenses, Cashion defeated Pawhuska 7-6 in dramatic fashion in last year’s semifinal tilt.

Combined, Cashion and Pawhuska averaged 113.8 points a game entering the night.

Landon LaGasse caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Harman with 3:28 to play before Lance Christensen made the extra-point that proved to be the game winner.

Cashion went on to defeat Thomas for the state title.

That Pawhuska team featured Bryce Drummond, who was an early enrollee at North Texas shortly after that game.

This year’s version has his younger brother, Todd Drummond, a junior who is also starting to get his own collegiate looks.

The younger Drummond has thrown for 3,474 yards and 47 touchdowns against just nine interceptions.

Back from last year’s squad is speedster wide receiver Mason Gilkey.

The Oklahoma State commit has hauled in 83 passes for 1,315 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Dalton Hurd has been a more-than-adequate second option. The senior has caught 58 passes for 924 yards and 16 more TDs.

The Huskies averaged about 81 yards rushing per game and use a committee of backs to get that production.

They give up 12.8 points per game.

After surrendering 21, 39 and 33 points in their first three games, the Huskies have given up more than 14 points just once.

Pawhuska’s defense has four shutouts, including last week’s 47-0 win over Elmore City-Pernell.

“We’ll have to play really well to win,” Shackelford said. “But when you get to this point in the playoffs, that’s true for everyone. Every team is really good and it comes down to who executes the best.”

Class A Football Semifinal

Cashion (12-1) vs. Pawhuska (11-2) 7 p.m. Friday at Ponca City High School