Post Photo by Chris Siers Sawyer Lovvorn barrels his way through the defensive front for a short gain.
Post Photo by Chris Siers Saebyn Burris leaps and attempts to haul in a pass in the second half at East Robertson on Friday night.
Post Photo by Chris Siers Damian Byford scrambles and escapes the Indians’ pressure.
By Chris Siers
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CROSS PLAINS — What’s been a successful season, led by a senior-loaded roster, came to an end on Friday night in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs at East Robertson (10-1) for Cascade.
Everything fell East’s way and thanks to a huge first half, the Indians ended Cascade’s season with a 42-0 loss.
East needed just two plays before Isaiah Groves broke loose for a 55-yard score to go up 7-0 just 50 seconds into the game.
The hosts added a second touchdown in the quarter when quarterback Kason Young hit Elijah Groves on a 52-yard touchdown pass.
Things continued to spiral in favor of the Indians as a blocked punt set up a short field for the next East score, early in the second quarter.
East went on to add 14 more points in the half and a final touchdown early in the third to seal the Champs’ fate.
Friday marked the end of what’s been a great high school football career for 14 seniors, most of whom helped Cascade reach the playoffs during all four years of their high school tenure.
“They’re going to be some huge shoes to fill. We’re losing 14 seniors. We had senior eight starters on offense and eight on defense. We have some underclassmen that have to step up,” Champion coach Jake Tyre said.
Cascade graduates several playmakers along the line, as well as quarterback Damian Byford, wide out Sabeyn Burris and the work horse out of the backfield in Sawyer Lovvorn.
“They were a bunch of seniors that went out and competed every week. They competed from the start. We had some pretty good leadership. We lost some tough and close ball games. They never quit and never gave up,” Tyre said.
The down side to any large senior class hits home when those seniors graduate.
Still, the work can’t be undervalued those graduating seniors have left on the program.
The rising senior class and underclassmen have experienced continued success and the burden now falls on the returning players to take the next step in the program.
“We’ll have a smaller senior class next year. Those guys kind of latched on to the seniors. Seeing the success in going to the playoffs all four years. They layed those building blocks for the younger guys to step up and take the next step forward,” Tyre said.
Cascade finishes the season with a 5-6 overall record.
E. Robertson 14 21 7 0 — 42
Cascade 0 0 0 0 — 0
First Quarter
ER — Isaiah Groves 55 run, (Ted Summerer kick), 11:10.
ER — Elijah Groves 52 pass from Kason Young, (Summerer kick), 3:13.
Second Quarter
ER — Emanuel Alarcon 1 run, (Summerer kick), 11:50.
ER — Zach Groves fumble recovery, (Summerer kick), 4:26.
ER — Isaiah Groves 40 fumble recovery, (Summerer kick), 1:21.
Third Quarter
ER — Cade Brooks 26 interception return, (Summerer kick), 9:21.
