Kaden Hill finds a lane and charges ahead for a short gain in the second quarter. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Andrew Dowell shrugs off a Huntland defender and hauls in a key 24-yard pass reception from quarterback Christian Casey. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
HUNTLAND — A disastrous start to Thursday night’s non-district match up at Huntland was more than the Cascade Champions could overcome in a 40-7 loss.
Not much went Cascade’s way, especially early on, as the Hornets built a 20-0 lead in the first quarter.
On the game’s opening kickoff, Huntland’s BJ Summers took the ball 94 yards for the 7-0 lead following the successful kick after by Ellis Stewart.
Things went from bad to worse as a fumble on Cascade’s first possession, on the first play from scrimmage, ended up in an 18-yard scoop and score and with just 32 seconds off the clock, Huntland led 14-0.
Following the calamity to start the game, Cascade settled in and aided by a slew of Hornet penalties, pressed the ball into Huntland territory.
But on third down from the Huntland 38, the Hornet defense came through with a key sack, forcing a Cascade punt.
Although the Hornets returned the punt to the 39, a personal foul backed the Hornets up to their own 24-yard line.
Quarterback Christian Casey keeps his eyes downfield as he scrambles forward for a 14-yard pickup in the second quarter. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
The back and forth continued and by the end of the second Huntland drive, the Hornets had piled up 55 yards in penalties.
Following another Cascade punt with 4:08 left, the Champion defense appeared to have gained some momentum, having backed the Hornets up to third and long from the 43.
On fourth down, the Hornets took a 20-0 lead on a toss sweep to Summers that went 57 yards for the score.
The Hornets later took a 27-0 lead following a 44-yard touchdown pass by Grant Jernigan with 10:50 left in the half.
Even trailing 27-0, Cascade answered the bell with a 15-play drive that drained nearly seven minutes off the clock.
Cascade twice converted on third down and picked up a key fourth down conversion inside the Hornet two.
Tailback Kaden Hill was the work horse for the Champs on the drive, rushing six times for 26 yards before capping the drive with a 1-yard burst into the end zone to put the Champs on the board.
Having found a bit of offensive rhythm, the Champion defense fed off the shift and forced a Huntland punt with 1:26 left in the half.
Looking to cut further into the Hornet lead, Cascade quarterback Christian Casey hit Braxtyn Burris on a 33-yard pass down the seam to move to the Huntland 33-yard line with just over a minute left in the half.
Aided by more Huntland penalties, it was Casey again going to the air, this time connecting with Andrew Dowell on a 24-yard pass.
A Cascade pressed inside the 5-yard line, the Champions got the ball to the Huntland 4-yard line with one second left in the half.
Needing a touchdown, Hill got the call and bulldozed his way through the Huntland defense before being dragged down at the two to end the scoring threat.
While the Champions had the momentum at the end of the first half, Huntland forced a Cascade punt on the first drive of the second half and again relied on a shock play of 61-yards to pad its lead.
Summers added one final score on a 25-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Cascade returns to the Stable on Friday night and will host county rival Community, with both teams still searching for their first win of the season.
On Friday, Forrest defeated Community, 55-14.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Battle for Bedford.
Cascade 20 7 6 7 — 40
Huntland 0 7 0 0 — 7
First Quarter
H — BJ Summers 94 kickoff return, (Ellis Stewart kick), 11:42.
H — Jadarius Reynolds 18 fumble recovery, (Stewart kick), 11:28.
H — Summers 43 run, (Jernigan kick), 1:03.
Second Quarter
H — Ellis Stewart 44 pass from Grant Jernigan, (Stewart kick), 10:50.
C — Kaden HIll 1 run, (Gabe Perez kick), 4:08.
Third Quarter
H — Julius Miller 61 run, (2pt. run failed), 7:47.
Fourth Quarter
H — Summers 25 run, (Stewart kick), 8:10.
