O-line leads way for big Cashion night

At the midpoint of the 2024 season, Cashion coach Lynn Shackelford said he likes the way his offensive line is taking shape…and performing.

That was evident Friday night as the Wildcats racked up 527 total yards in a 42-26 victory at Watonga.

“That group really played well,” said Shackelford after his team won for the third straight time. “They allowed us to make big plays in the run game and the passing game.”

The group consists of Caden Seely with Juan Melendez next to him at left guard and Matthew Stockton on the other side at right guard. Max Hoesli also saw snaps at right guard.

Kaleb Duran is the left tackle and Timmy Jones starts at right tackle while Gavin Layton and Slade Williams provide blocking help at the tight end spot.

That group paved the way for 297 rushing yards and 230 more through the air against the Eagles.

A bulk of those receiving yards went to Maxx Higdon, who gave Cashion its first touchdown of the game on a 48-yard reception in the first quarter.

It turned out to be the shortest of his three TD catches on the night.

In the second half, as Cashion began to fully pull away, Higdon caught touchdowns of 98 and 50 yards.

His night ended with four receptions for 200 yards and three scores.

Watonga did its best to keep up early as the home team matched each of Cashion’s first two scores.

Kellan Estep ran for a 27-yard score and later hit Ivan Carona for a 14-yard strike.

Those were sandwiched around a 46-yard scoring run for Cashion’s Kellen Smith.

However, after Watonga’s second touchdown, Cashion rattled off four straight TDs to stake a 4213 lead.

Smith scored on a 4-yard run and Rival Fields a 12yard scamper in the second quarter.

Then in the third, Smith and Higdon connected on their long pass plays.

For the night, Smith was 8 of 13 through the air.

He added 139 rushing yards on just 13 attempts.

Jaden Bolton added 96 yards on eight carries and Fields picked up 55 yards on 10 attempts.

Cashion averaged 8.7 yards a carry.

Layton led the defense with seven tackles.

Hank Brown added six. Cashion is now 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in District 2A-1 games.

Business picks up this week as Hooker pays a visit this Friday.

The Bulldogs, last year’s Class A state runners-up, are 4-1 and 2-0. Their only loss is to Sunray (Texas) in Week 0.