Local Sports
Cayuga not looking past Beckville
By SCOTT TYLER
Sports Editor
BETHEL — Cayuga’s playoff run this season may have to go through one of the toughest region in the state.
But even with teams including Alto, Tenaha, Lovelady and Mart in the same region, there is no looking ahead for the Wildcats.
Cayuga opens the playoffs Friday night in Class A-Region III, Division II bi-district game against Beckville. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Bullard.
“We can’t worry about looking ahead, our focus is on Friday night and Beckville,” Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison said.
Beckville (5-5) has won four straight games, including a 28-21 victory over Mount Enterprise last week to get into the playoffs.
“They are playing good football right now and they had to win all four games to make the playoffs,” Allison said. “They have things going in the right direction and that makes them dangerous.”
The Bearcats use multiple schemes on offense going from the spread look to putting the quarterback under center with two backs behind him.
“We have got to be lined up properly and be prepared for anything,” Allison said. “We have seen teams that have offenses like this before and we had done well making the adjustments depending on the formations.”
Rico Marshall leads the Beckville running game. He has rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a win over West Sabine and 113 yards and scored two touchdowns against Waskom.
Beckville quarterback James Donald has been efficient throwing the ball. He threw 192 yards and two touchdowns against Timpson and 126 yards and a touchdown against West Sabine.
“They have lots of speed on the field and they play with tenacity,” Allison said. “As a defense, we are going to have to keep them from breaking the big one.”
Cayuga (8-1) starts the playoffs with riding an eight-game win streak since the Wildcats started the season with a loss to Frankston.
The Wildcats have one of the top back field in Class A football with quarterback Malcome Kennedy and running back Traylon Shead — who both have verbally committed to Big 12 football programs.
“Both players are very unselfish and want the other to succeed,” Allison said. “It makes it tough for defenses to key on either one because of the success they both have had.”
Shead, a University of Texas committee, has rushed for 1,552 yards on 158 carries and 22 touchdowns. Shead has gotten stronger as the season has progressed with five straight 100-plus rushing games.
Kennedy has been a threat both in the run and pass game, going for over 1,000 yards in each department. He has rushed for 1,105 yards on 97 carries and 12 touchdowns. He is averaging more than a first down a carry — 11.39 yards per carry.
In the passing game, Kennedy is 67-of-128 for 1,139 yards. He has thrown 16 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com
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