Nate Zimmerman led the Champion offense on Friday night at Summertown. He had 114 yards on 25 carries and found the end zone twice. (Post File Photo by Chris Siers)
STAFF REPORT
SUMMERTOWN — At one point on Friday night, the Cascade Champions (2-1) trailed Summertown 17-7.
Although the Champions battled the elements with soggy conditions and rallied to take a 21-17 lead in the fourth, but ultimately fell short to the Eagles in a 23-21 non-region thriller.
After sitting through a weather delay, Summertown took immediate control of the game, jumping out to a 10-0 lead.
Summertown grabbed the early lead on a Max Dillard five-yard run and Brad Hoffman then tacked on a 27-yard field goal.
Trailing 10-0, the Champion ground game took over and Nate Zimmerman put the Champs on the board and cut the Summertown lead to three following Gabe Perez’ successful extra point.
But as time continued to wind down in the first half, Summertown recaptured the lead and scored on a one-yard dive into the end zone by Cainaan Klinghard, bumping the halftime lead up to 17-7.
While Summertown controlled the scoreboard through the first half, the pesky Champion bunch simply wouldn’t go away.
Gunslinging quarterback Sam Bradley connected with Delontae Clay on a 21-yard strike in the third to pull within three points and then early in the second, Zimmerman found paydirt for the second time on the night, scoring the go-ahead touchdown from 17 yards out.
Following Perez’ successful extra point, Cascade led 21-17.
But a 59-yard shock play mid-way through the fourth ultimately proved the difference as Dillard hit McKaleb Powell on a game-winning touchdown score.
Zimmerman was the cog in the Champion offense that kept the wheels churning.
He carried the ball 25 times for 114 yards and a pair of scores, while Bradley completed 11-of-19 tries for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Cascade will be back in action in non-region action on Thursday night as the Champions host Eagleville at the Stable.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Cascade 0 7 7 7 — 21
Summertown 10 7 0 6 — 23
First Quarter
S — Max Dillard 5 run, (Brad Hoffman kick).
S — Hoffman 27-yard field goal.
Second Quarter
C — Nate Zimmerman 1 run, (Gabe Perez kick),
S — Cainaan Klinghard 1 run, (Hoffman kick).
Third Quarter
C — Delontae Clay 21 pass from Sam Bradley, (Perez kick).
Fourth Quarter
C — Zimmerman 17 run, (Perez kick).
S — McKaleb Powell 59 pass from Dillard, (Kick failed).