Corey Gooch hits the brakes and skirts past a Richland defender. Gooch had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter for Cascade. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
Kadin Hill keeps his eyes focused as he finds the crease in the Richland defense and scores on a 10-yard touchdown run to put the Champs on the board. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountysports.com
BELL BUCKLE — Early on in Friday night’s home opener, Richland made it clear the Raiders wanted to press the ball downfield via the pass game.
With that game plan and mentality, the Raiders got two early scores and continued to air it out as the Raiders spoiled Cascade’s home opener, 54-14.
Raider quarterback Blane Woodard connected on two passes to Jake Sands on the game’s opening drive before Andrew Huff broke through on a 4-yard score, just 1:18 into the game.
After forcing a punt on the Champs’ opening drive, Woodard again went to the air, this time connecting on a 41-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead with 9:02 left in the first quarter.
Having been shell-shocked by the up-tempo pace from the Raiders, Cascade then leaned on quarterback Christian Casey as the Champs orchestrated a 13-play scoring drive, capped by a Kaden Hill 10-yard touchdown run.
Following Gabe Perez’ successful kick after, Richland led just 14-7.
But the Raiders again leaned on an effective passing attack to set up a second touchdown run by Huff with 10:39 left in the first half.
Having once again fallen behind by two scores, this time it was a 90-yard kickoff return down the visitor sideline by Corey Gooch to give the Champions a much-needed spark.
The momentum was short-lived however.
Richland answered with two more touchdowns to close the half, coming on a direct snap, 9-yard score by Huff and a 2-yard score by Sands.
With Richland making halftime adjustments, Cascade was held to a three and out on the first drive of the second half and struggled to find consistent momentum moving the ball against a stingy Raider defense.
“The community is behind us. It doesn’t feel like it with the score, but we’re so close. The defense doesn’t look like it on the scoreboard, but we’re so close with assignments and everything,” Champion coach Jared Carkuff said.
Richland closed the game by adding three more rushing touchdowns in the third quarter.
In game-planning for Richland, late in the week it was revealed quarterback Peyton Wireman would be out for the season with an injury, prompting the Cascade coaching staff to turn to senior Christian Casey to lead the Champion offense.
“Wireman is out for the season. We found that out on Thursday. We tried to make the adjustment as quickly as we could. Christian is an unreal athlete and is just a dawg. He took it on and is going to carry us through the season,” Carkuff said.
In addition the run game, Gooch gave Cascade a big spark in the return game as well, highlighted by his kickoff returned for a touchdown.
“We tell him to use it as much as he can because it’s god-given. That was awesome to see,” Carkuff said.
While it’s been a tough start to the season for Cascade so far, the Champions don’t have much time to dwell on Friday night’s loss.
On Thursday, Cascade will travel to Huntland for another non-district tilt.
“A short week doesn’t matter. Nobody cares about all the excuses or how we feel. We have to show up and play football on Thursday because that’s what the schedule says,” Carkuff said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Huntland.
Richland 14 20 20 0 — 54
Cascade 7 7 0 0 — 14
First Quarter
R — Andrew Huff 4 run, (A.J. Bates kick) 10:42. Blane Woodard
R — Aylin Kennedy 41 pass from Blane Woodard, (Bates kick), 9:02.
C — Kaden Hill 10 run, (Gabe Perez kick), 2:26.
Second Quarter
R — Huff 1 run, (Bates kick), 10:39.
C — Corey Gooch 90 kickoff return, (Perez kick), 10:22.
R — Jake Sands 9 run, (Bates kick), 6:49.
R — Sands 2 run, (Bates kick), 2:54.
R — Huff 36 run, (Bates kick), 8:32.
R — Nash Petty 18 run, (Kick failed), 6:22.
R — Tucker Mayo 35 run, (Bates kick), :13.
