H.S. Football: Cayuga hosts Italy in monster 6-A matchup

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October 24, 2012

H.S. Football: Cayuga hosts Italy in monster 6-A matchup

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Wed Oct 24, 2012, 05:27 PM CDT

If Cayuga’s district-opener against Kerens two weeks ago was the teams’ biggest contest up to that point, it’s now being replaced.

The Wildcats new biggest game of the year comes Friday, when the Wildcats (5-2, 2-0) welcome in Italy (3-4, 2-0) in a showdown of the last two unbeaten teams in District 6-A, Division I.

The contest could very likely decide the district championship for the district.

Both teams come into the game with balanced offenses.

Italy averages almost 200 yards per game on the ground, led by Ryheem Walker, who has already broken the 1,000-yard mark this season.

Walker is averaging 144 yards per game on the year and carries the majority of the load for the Gladiators on the ground.

The Italy passing attack isn’t quite as high-powered, but is none-the-less effective.

Senior Marvin Cox has led the Gladiators under center the past three weeks, and is 14-of-19 passing for 256 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games.

Cayuga’s offense is all about balance as well, led by the two-headed rushing attack of quarter Chandler Rigdon and running back D’onte Jackson.

Together, the duo have rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading a Cayuga offense that averages 31 points per game this season.

Rigdon is also a more than effective passer. The sophomore has thrown for 1,137 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

But, the star of the Cayuga team may be its defense. In last week’s 20-0 win over Itasca, the Wildcats held the Wampus Cats to under 200 total yards.

In a win earlier this season against Wortham, the Wildcats held the opposition to under 100 yards.

Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Cayuga’s Scarborough Stadium (Hwy. 287, Bethel, Texas 75832).

———

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

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