H.S. Football Roundup: Cayuga heads to Cushing looking to regain past form

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August 29, 2012

H.S. Football Roundup: Cayuga heads to Cushing looking to regain past form

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Wed Aug 29, 2012, 03:23 PM CDT

The Cayuga football team is looking to regain the form of teams past as it enters 2012 off of missing the playoffs in 2011.

If the team’s two scrimmages were any indication, the Wildcats may be on their way.

“We’re very proud coming off of both scrimmages. We haven’t given up a touchdown,” CHS coach Greg Jenkins said. “When we played Normangee, they didn’t cross midfield. Beat them 17-0 in the live quarter. We’re very, very pleased.”

The Wildcats open the regular season at 7 p.m. Friday at Cushing’s J.F. Whitaker Stadium (No. 1 Bearkat Dr., Cushing, Texas 75760).

Jenkins said the keys to Cayuga’s success Friday will be simple. The team has to execute on offense and tackle on defense. Simple as that, really.

He added that if the Wildcats could execute with the football, then they could possibly have “a big night.”

Leading the offense will be move-in Chandler Rigdon, who edged Chantz Holland in the team’s quarterback battle. Part of that edging came from Holland himself, who told the coaching staff he was fine helping the team at wide receiver.

Jenkins said he really likes what Rigdon brings to the table under center, even if there may be some jitters at first.

“We’re excited about our quarterback...but this is his first time in game experience,” Jenkins said. “But, he’s such a competitor. What we learned in the scrimmages, he doesn’t mind running the football. He’s got a little nasty streak to him.”

Defensively, Cayuga will have to watch out for Cushing’s quarterback play. He added that the team is well coached, so they won’t make too many mistakes.

“They’ve got great quarterback play and a lot of times as a coach, on film you’re trying to see how well a team is coached and we think they’re very well coached,” he said. “We’re going to try and execute the game plan.”

OAKWOOD at Blum

The website sixmanfootball.com is usually known as the go-to source for six-man football news.

So, when the site ranks your team in the top-10 like it has Oakwood (No. 10 in Division I), it usually raises flags.

Except this season in Oakwood. In fact, Panther players didn’t even know until someone else told them.

“This is an unusual bunch. They haven’t paid a bunch of attention to rankings...they didn’t even know they were ranked,” OHS coach Mike Heckathorn said. “They don’t really worry too much about that, and I’m glad they don’t.”

The Panthers open up the 2012 season with big aspirations, and get their first test in Blum at J.M. White Field (Ave. F at 9th St.., Blum, Texas 76627). Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

With a marquee game next week against No. 9 Zephyr, one might expect the Panthers to be looking ahead, past Blum.

But, Heckathorn said they’re not, and have to be focused on this week’s game. After all, this early in the season, anything can happen.

“They’re not bad, they’re a pretty good football team and we’ve got to go to their house and play, so you never know,” Heckathorn said. “I think we can do all right, but if we have a bunch of turnovers, you never know.”

Heckathorn added that his team has had a “pretty good week of work,” leading up to the game, which gives him added confidence.

Centerville at GRAPELAND

The Grapeland football team opens up 2012 with a tough test, as the Sandies welcome in Class 2A Centerville to Grapeland Sandies Stadium (N. Olive St. at FM 1272, Grapeland, Texas 75844).

“They’re a good ballclub. It’s a big test for us,” GHS coach Jerry Richards said. “We’ve seen them in two scrimmages and they’ve been impressive. I haven’t seen many weak spots on them. Hopefully, we can get a few breaks...and we can turn the tide.”

Centerville turned in a solid 2011, finishing at 8-3. That included a 55-20 defeat of Grapeland in the season opener.

Grapeland is looking to begin the year on the right foot, as the Sandies begin the hunt for their second-straight playoff appearance.

“I think we’re improved over last year,” Richards said. “We’re getting better, it’s just the concepts we’ve got in are just now clicking with the younger players. Our main key is we’ve just got to stay healthy.”

Kick-off is set for 7: 30 p.m. Friday.

————

Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com

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H.S. Football Roundup: Cayuga heads to Cushing looking to regain past form

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