Cashion wakes up to thump Watonga in district opener

Cashion coaches have been stressing to their team that it’s important to get mentally prepared for each and every game - not just the big ones.

The Wildcats didn’t exactly take heed last week, but it also didn’t matter much.

They still dominated the middle quarters and that was more than enough for a 54- 12 victory at Watonga in the District A-3 opener for both teams.

Cashion was slow out of the gate and led the Eagles just 7-6 early in the second quarter.

“We looked like we’d rather have been anywhere but Watonga for a while,” head coach Lynn Shackelford said.

“Which is something we’ve talked about and will continue to do. We have to be better self-starters and not rely on the hype of the game to get us going.”

The Wildcats soon found their inspiration as they scored 47 points over the next two quarters, including 33 in the second.

Ben Harman threw four of his five touchdown passes during that stretch.

Two of them went to Mason Manning, who had three overall.

Manning caught TDs of 24, 23 and 7 yards, the last of which put Cashion on top 54-6 in the third quarter.

In between, Caden Harrell ran for two touchdowns and caught another.

Brexten Green got in on the scoring multiple ways as he hauled in a 14-yard TD pass and ran in one from 36 yards.

By the time the carnage was over, Cashion had outgained Watonga 393-165.

Harman was 18 of 25 for 251 yards.

Manning caught seven passes for 97 yards and Green five for 53.

Harrell, who had 80 receiving yards, led the rushing attack with 84 yards on nine carries.

The Wildcats averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

Watonga, meanwhile, netted fewer than 4.0 yards per play overall and turned it over three times.

Jacob Farrow led the defense with 12 overall tackles. Harrell was in on seven more.

Cashion is now 5-0 on the season. The Wildcats host Oklahoma Christian Academy for homecoming this Friday night.