Delonte Clay of the Champions jumps high to make the interception and stop a Viking scoring drive. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
Braxtyn Burris of the Champs has plenty of teammates around him as he picks up 23 yards on a punt return. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
BELL BUCKLE — Despite both the Community Vikings and Cascade Champions coming into their annual Battle of Bedford football showdown without a win in the victory column, there was no lack of excitement and shortage of points as the two teams combined for 83 points, with the Champs using big plays to maintain their lead and thwart a Viking comeback attempt as the Champions finished with a 49-34 win Friday night.
The game took over three hours to play as the two offensive outputs, coupled with several penalties, gave the fans their money’s worth as a brisk breeze blew throughout the night at the Stable.
After the Vikings picked up a first down but were forced to punt on the opening possession of the game, the Champs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard first.
Coupled with a pair of offside penalties on the Vikings, Cascade reached pay dirt as Kaden Hill scored from two yards out to give the Champions the lead.
Wilson Richmond picks up yardage for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
Gabe Perez, who was a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points, kicked his first PAT as the Champs led 7-0 with 7:04 left in the opening quarter.
The kickoffs from Perez and some clutch punting helped the Champions turn field position throughout the game.
“We preach it every week how special teams can change the game, and Gabe does an amazing job,” Coach Jared Carkuff of the Champions said.
Cascade regained possession after a Viking three-and-out, but the Champs punted after two penalties hurt the Champion cause.
Once again, penalties hampered a Viking drive with Community punting as the quarter came to a close.
After a 23-yard punt return by Corey Gooch, the Champs started their next drive at the Viking 31.
Cascade added to its lead as quarterback Christian Casey found Delonte Clay for a 17-yard touchdown pass.
The extra point by Perez gave the Champions a 14-0 lead with 9:49 left in the second quarter.
With Community having trouble getting out of the gate offensively for the first 15 minutes of the game, a big play unleashed the Vikings and put Community on the scoreboard.
Isaac Jacobs picks up yardage for the Vikings in the opening quarter. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
On second down from the Viking 14, quarterback Nyles Barnett found Charles Haskins in stride down the right sideline, good enough for 86 yards and a touchdown. The pass for two failed as the Champion lead was whittled to 14-6 with 8:42 remaining.
As penalties
Quarterback Christian Casey runs to the outside and picks up yardage for the Champions. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
were prevalent in the opening quarter, turnovers played a big factor in the second quarter.
The ensuing Champion drive was stopped as Haskins made the interception, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 34-yard line.
With a chance for the momentum to turn their way, the Vikings could not escape the turnover bug as Andrew Dowell intercepted a Community pass and ran the ball back 38 yards for the score.
The point gave the Champs a 21-6 lead with 6:11 left.
The big play offense of the Vikings came back on the next possession as Community took just two plays to score as Barnett connected with Isaac Jacobs for a 65-yard touchdown pass.
The pass failed as the Champions led 21-12 with 5:42 left.
“We’ve got them set up and we’ve been out there working them as far as passing every day,” Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said.
The Vikings looked to trim the lead even further after recovering a Champ fumble on the next possession, but Community could not capitalize.
After the teams traded possessions, a Champion interception gave Cascade the ball at the Viking 27 with 40 seconds remaining.
With time winding down, the Champions beat the buzzer as Marqius Hayes, Jr. scored from four yards out with two seconds remaining.
The kick by Perez gave the Champions a 28-12 halftime advantage.
The Vikings were first to score in the second half. After driving into the red zone, Community cut the Champion lead as Barnett scored on an 11-yard run.
The pass from Barnett to Haskins was good for two as the Champs led 28-20 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.
The Champions used the big play to extend their lead on the next possession as Casey teamed up with Braxton Burris for a 43-yard TD pass.
The kick put Cascade up 35-20 with 3:44 remaining.
The Viking offense remained in gear as two first downs brought Community to the Cascade 20 as the quarter ended.
The start of the fourth quarter was not kind to the Vikings as a holding penalty and an interception by Clay stopped the drive.
The Champs responded to the turnover as Casey ran eight yards for the touchdown as Cascade took a 42-20 lead with 9:04 left in the game.
The Champions looked to put the game out of reach as Burris raced 65 yards for the touchdown to give Cascade a 49-20 lead with 8:01 left.
But the Vikings were not ready to throw in the towel as Community added two touchdowns in the final five minutes.
The combo of Barnett to Jacobs was successful on the first score as the duo combined on a 15-yard touchdown pass as the Champ lead was cut to 49-26.
The Vikings added the final score of the game at the 1:12 mark as Jacobs scampered 12 yards for a touchdown.
Barnett found Haskins for the 2-point conversion as the Champs took their first win of the season.
“We knew it was going to be a battle. Especially whoever makes the least amount of mistakes would probably be the ones who came out on top,” Carkuff said.
“We really made a lot of mistakes, but I’m really proud about how we fought and got through it,” Carkuff added.
“Our O-line looked solid,” Grooms said. “We had a couple of injuries which hurt.”
“Daniel Walters came back from his injury and he’s a handful in the middle,” Grooms added. “And I can’t speak enough about my linebackers Luis Butler and Sev Garman.”
With both teams still a few weeks away from the start of region play, both Carkuff and Grooms feel their teams will be ready when the time comes.
“We might be getting a couple of injury guys back and it’s going to be nice to see people step up,” Carkuff said. “We’ve got one more show before the real ones start.”
“We’ve got three weeks before our first region game,” Grooms said. “We’ve just got to make sure we get healthy this week with it being a bye and focus on Cannon and Grundy.”
Cascade looks to continue its winning ways as the Champions travel to Watertown next Friday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Community is idle next Friday and will return to action in two weeks as the Vikings entertain Cannon County.
Community 0 12 8 14 — 34
Cascade 7 21 7 14 — 49
First Quarter
Cas — Kaden Hill 2 run, (Gabe Perez kick), 7:04.
Second Quarter
Cas — Delonte Clay 17 pass from Christian Casey, (Perez kick), 9:49.
Com — Charles Haskins 86 pass from Nyles Barnett, (pass failed), 8:42.
Cas — Andrew Dowell 38 interception return, (Perez kick), 6:11.
Com — Isaac Jacobs 65 pass from Barnett, (pass failed), 5:42.
Cas — Marqius Hayes, Jr. 4 run, (Perez kick), 0:02.
Third Quarter
Com — Barnett 11 run, (Haskins pass from Barnett), 6:11.
Cas — Braxton Burris 43 pass from Casey, (Perez kick), 3:44.
Fourth Quarter
Cas — Casey 8 run, (Perez kick), 9:04.
Cas — Burris 65 run, (Perez kick), 8:01.
Com — Jacobs 15 pass from Barnett, (pass failed), 5:15.
Com — Jacobs 12 run, (Haskins pass from Barnett), 1:12.
