Staff Report
MONTEREY — Riding a four-game win-streak into Friday night’s on-region clash at Monterey, the Cascade
Champions (4-3) had hit their stride over the past month.
Leaning on a bruising run game, along with key passing plays, the Champs felt good about their chances in their final non-region matchup of the season.
Despite a furious fourth-quarter rally, the Wildcats held on for a 28-23 win over Cascade on Friday night.
Monterey pounced on Cascade in the first quarter with a 5-yard touchdown run from Kole Bowman and a scoop and score touchdown by Jakob Knight for a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The home team padded its lead in the second quarter with a 4-yard strike as well and by mid-way through the second frame, Monterey had built a 21-0 lead.
Gabe Perez finally put Cascade on the board with a 17-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
Still, Monterey held onto a 21-3 lead at the half and early in the third, saw Kole Bowman notch his second touchdown of the night on a 26-yard strike for a 28-3 lead.
Trailing by 25 points, Cascade flipped a switch and rallied for 20-unanswered points and had a chance to score late in the fourth quarter, but an interception ended the Champs’ hope of an improbable rally to close the game.
In total, Cascade
cranked out 254 yards of offense, but totaled just 42 yards on the ground.
Damian Byford completed 19-of-32 attempts for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
His top target of the night was Saebyn Burris, who made nine grabs for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Hayden Dowell got in the mix as well and made five catches for 70 yards.
Sawyer Lovvorn, who has led the Cascade potent ground game, had seven carries for just one yard and a score, but made two catches for 13 yards and also completed a pass for 48 yards as well.
Jacob Cagle also made one catch for a 3-yard touchdown as well.
Following Friday’s non-region game at Monterey, the Champions sit idle this week, before a three-game Region 4-2A slate to close the season.
Cascade will face Cannon County on Oct. 13 in their home finale, before traveling to Fayetteville and Marion County to close the season.
Cascade 0 3 13 7 — 23
Monterey 14 0 7 7 — 28