Michael Pineda
Cashion — The stakes and competition will go up a notch this week for Velma-Alma when it faces Cashion tonight in the second round of the playoffs.
In Cashion, the Comets will face a team ranked No. 6 in the state with an 11-0 record. The Wildcats disposed of Texhoma 20-6 in Week 11 with quarterback Jeremy Seaton leading the way with 201 yards rushing.
Cashion is a team that can attack opponents through the air and on the ground and has shown the ability to win games in different fashion.
In a game against District A-3 runner-up, the Wildcats won a Shootout 40-33 and then turned around and defeated Oklahoma Christian School 12-10 the next week.
“Our kids knew with our schedule that we would have to be able to do two things well, run and pass,” Cashion coach Lynn Shackleford said. “Our offensive line was inexperienced coming into the season and we knew that if we got consistent, we had a chance.
“In the last few months we have run the ball well. Velma-Alma hangs its hat on running the ball well and we want to do that.”
That doesn’t mean Cashion is all in on the running game. This past summer, the Wildcats were involved in 7-on-7 to help develop its passing game.
“A lot of teams are doing it now and I think more from a throwing and running aspect, it’s just another way that we can play football.”
Defensively, Cashion came in experience on the defensive side of the ball and has given up 138 points this season. In nine of their 11 games, the Wildcats have given up less than two touchdowns compared to last season, when it happened six times.
Looking back at last week’s game, Cashion probably did Velma-Alma a huge favor by winning and nullifying a potential trip to Texhoma. As far as the Wildcats are concerned, it was another step in the process of building a program.
“It was important,” Shackleford said. “Anytime you can win a playoff game, it helps your program. It’s no secret that the best programs are the ones that advance deep in the playoffs.
“You just look at Class A last week, every home team won and that is not going to happen every week. It was a huge advantage playing at home and not going to Texhoma. Playing at home keeps things on a normal schedule.”
The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tonight.
