ZeShawn Swaggerty of the Champions eludes the final Community defenders en route to an 18-yard TD run in the opening quarter. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
Nate Zimmerman of the Champions races down the sideline after hauling in a 66-yard pass from Sam Bradley on the opening drive of the game. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
BELL BUCKLE — The Cascade Champions jumped out to a big lead over the Community Vikings and the Champions never looked back as Cascade defeated the Vikings 48-0 in the annual Battle of Bedford and Region 4-3A football game Friday night.
After choosing to receive the ball on the opening kickoff, Cascade (4-6, 1-4) wasted little time lighting up the scoreboard as a huge pass play of 66 yards from quarterback Sam Bradley to Nate Zimmerman moved the Champs into the red zone.
Kaden Hill followed with a 6-yard run for a touchdown and a pass from Andrew Dowell to Gabe Perez-Rubio was good for the 2-point conversion as the Champions took an 8-0 lead with 9:55 left in the opening quarter.
Community (0-10, 0-5) could not pick up a first down on the ensuing possession as the Champs took over with excellent field position.
The Champions added to their lead as Reidy Brainard scored from one yard out.
Kaeden Hensel rolls out to make the pass for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
The run for two failed as Cascade led 14-0 with 6:16 remaining.
The Champion defense came up big on the next Viking possession as Cain Harden recovered a fumble to give Cascade the ball in the red zone.
ZeShawn Swaggerty followed with an 18-yard run for the touchdown and Perez-Rubio added the extra point as the Champs upped their lead to 21-0 with 5:32 left.
Cascade added to its lead in the second quarter as Zimmerman scored from one yard out.
Perez-Rubio’s PAT gave the Champs a 28-0 advantage with 8:49 left.
The Champions added their final score of the half as Braxtyn Burris connected with Corey Gooch on a 31-yard touchdown pass.
The pass from Dowell to Harden was good for two as Cascade took a 36-0 lead into the intermission.
The Champions added a touchdown midway through the third quarter as Hill scored from eight yards out to give Cascade a 42-0 lead.
The Champs completed the scoring on the night in the fourth quarter as Dustin Pinder recovered a fumble and raced 19 yards to the end zone to increase the Champion lead to 48-0.
Despite two successful runs totaling 25 yards by Severen Garman, the Vikings could not break the ice on the final drive as a couple of penalties wiped out huge Community gains.
“We were going to throw every offensive formation we had, but when you get behind the chains, it takes us out and we have to do something else,” Coach Glenn Tidwell of the Vikings said. “We never could get going.”
The Vikings will be playing one more game next Thursday night as Community will participate in the Nurseryman’s Bowl at Warren County and will take on Warren County with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Community 0 0 0 0 – 0
Cascade 21 15 6 6 – 48
First Quarter
Cas — Kaden Hill 6 run (Gabe Perez-Rubio 2pt. pass from Andrew Dowell) 9:55.
Cas — Reidy Brainard 1 run (run failed) 6:16.
Cas — ZeShawn Swaggerty 18-yard run (Perez-Rubio kick) 5:32.
Second Quarter
Cas—– Nate Zimmerman 1 run (Perez-Rubio kick) 8:49.
Cas — Corey Gooch 31 pass from Braxtyn Burris (Cain Harden 2pt. pass from Dowell) 6:12.
Third Quarter
Cas – Hill 8 run (kick blocked) 3:31.
Fourth Quarter
Cas – Dustin Pinder 19 fumble return (2pt. run failed) 10:23.