McEwen riding into The Stable for rematch

It might just be coach speak, but it's been said that one of the tougher things to do in sports is to beat a team multiple times in the same season.

Cascade quarterback Jacob Carkuff has completed 63.6 percent of his passes this season and thrown 23 touchdowns. (File Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

That challenge is staring fourth-ranked Cascade in the face on Friday night when they host McEwen in the second round of the TSSAA state playoffs. Kickoff is at 7.

Ten weeks ago, the Champions (11-0) took down the Warriors (9-2) in a steady rain 48-24 thanks in part to owning the turnover margin 4-1.

"We're not overlooking them knowing that we already beat them because we know they're a good team," said Cascade senior quarterback Jacob Carkuff, who passed for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting. "In the second round of the playoffs, there are no bad teams in it.

"We're really confident but not too confident. We know we can get better. We haven't played our perfect game yet. Being 11-0 you know you can beat people. We've just got to do it."

No Cascade team has ever made it to the third round of the bracket. Then again, this group continues to leave their own mark in the history books. After breaking the school record for wins last year by going 10-2, they one-upped that total last week with a 42-21 victory over Columbia Academy.

Also, they're the first team to be outright Region 5-A champions.

"We've been talking about it all week," Carkuff said of the third-round hopes. "We talked about it after the game on Friday. We've already set these records so why not set more?

"Eleven wins for the first time, nobody thought we could do it. It's just like getting into the third round, nobody thinks we can do it, but I think we can."

The 11 seniors who've put together a four-year record of 34-10 will put their football careers on the line. Carkuff started thinking about possibly having his last practices as soon as the postseason hit.

"It's just something you've gotta go through," he said. "I mean I'm going through it this week again. Just like, if we win, we'll go through it again next week.

"That's what's so great about the high school playoffs. You're not guaranteed another week. I'm not one to get nervous but you kinda get nervous knowing, hey, this could be your last game. You've got to put it all out there."

McEwen is more than capable of pulling off the upset. Their only other blemish was a 14-7 defeat at the hands of Jo Byrns.

The Warriors boast the top ball carrier in the region in Ethan Tummins, who went for 160 yards on 23 carries back in Week Two. Look for him to get the ball in his hands more often as he takes some snaps at quarterback in a shotgun set.

The Champs need to score early and often to force their opponent into passing the ball. That's what happened in September and Cascade turned a pair of interceptions into TDs.

Precipitation could leave conditions eerily similar to the previous meeting. However, the difference is that the Bermuda grass at The Stable went dormant a few weeks ago. Look for players to be slip-sliddin away on the brown, soggy turf.

Carkuff said the Warriors have altered their defense slightly from what he's seen in film study.

"They're playing more man (defense), but if they try to lay off in a zone I think it will open up more running. We can always pass it when we have to even if it is wet. We've just gotta do what we gotta do."

On the year, Carkuff has thrown for 1,432 yards on 84-for-132 passing with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions.

He's not alone in the backfield. The Wing-T offense is based on the rushing attack and goes through tailback Matt Henderson. The junior is in his third year as a starter and has rushed for 2,595 yards on 390 carries in his career.

The fullback position hasn't been as productive in 2008 as it had been, but wingback Ricky Hord has picked up the slack having amassed 477 ground yards and five TDs on 42 attempts.