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).
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Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
H.S. Football: Cayuga hosts Italy in monster 6-A matchup
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H.S. Baseball: Holland named 19-A MVP
After edging Kerens for the District 19-A baseball title, the Cayuga baseball team was well-represented on the 19-A all-district team released this week.
Star pitcher Chantz Holland was named the district’s MVP after yet another standout season. The Vernon College-bound Holland was the team’s ace pitcher and also its most reliable hitter. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart relying on experience during playoff run
After being pushed to the brink of elimination in each of its first two playoff series, the Elkhart baseball team took care of business with ease in the regional quarterfinals.
The Elks defeated Warren in the best-of-three series, 2-0, by a combined score of 11-1.
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Earlier in the postseason, Elkhart star third baseman Jacob Cheatham legged out his 17th triple of the 2013 season.
It was an important one.
With the hit, Cheatham passed Steve Kopepasah and Alex Ortiz for the national record for triples in a season, according to the National Federation of High School associations. -
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. - More Local Sports Headlines
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