‘Cats serve notice
No. 1 Cashion blows past Drumright in season opener
A HOST of Cashion defenders, including Hayden Branch (61) wrap up a Drum-right ball carrier during the Wildcats’ 42-8 season-opening win last week. Brexten Green (left) accounted for six touchdowns as the would-be wide receiver filled in at quarterback.
Before the season started, the one thing Cashion head coach Lynn Shackelford said might set his team apart from others in 2019 is its depth.
He’s already got one big example to fall back on.
The only starting position Shackelford needed to fill from last year was at quarterback. The heir apparent - Ben Harman - had to sit out the Wildcats’ Week 0 game at Drumright.
No worries.
Brexten Green coolly stepped into the role and accounted for all six of Cashion’s touchdowns in a 42-8 victory for Class A’s top-ranked team.
And it wasn’t that close.
Cashion led 42-0 at halftime and had amassed 221 yards to minus-29 for the Tornadoes.
“I thought our defense was really, really good,” Shackelford said. “A lot of guys made plays.
“The field wasn’t in very good shape and I honestly think that played a role in slowing down our offense.”
As did a running clock in the second half, which gave the Wildcats just two possessions.
But the first half was all Green needed.
The junior completed 12 of 18 passes for 147 yards and four scores.
Two of those TD passes went to Alex Nabavi on connections of 33 and 8 yards in the second quarter.
Nabavi caught five passes for 61 yards overall.
Green hit Mason Manning for a 4-yard score on Cashion’s first drive and later Hayden Aaron hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Green sprinkled in scoring runs of 7 and 35 yards as well.
“I thought Brexten played really well filling in for Ben,” said Shackelford.
Harman was nursing a minor knee injury, but is expected back soon, added Shackelford.
Cashion ran just 35 offensive snaps.
The Wildcats garnered 97 yards on 16 carries. Green accounted for 39 yards on three carries.
Defensively, Cashion finally allowed Drumright to cross over into positive yardage in the second half.
The Tornadoes finished the game with 45 total yards and managed 1.5 yards per play.
Gavin Phippen, Justice Broadbent, Jake Branson and Kai Gilbert had four tackles apiece.
“We’ve got tougher games ahead, but this was a good start for our guys,” Shackelford said.