Champs hope rest fuels win Friday

The Cascade defensive line that features starters, from left, Jordan Lacey, Cody Glenn, Justin Powell and Anthony Smith, is looking to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. (T-G File Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

During its much-needed bye week, Cascade was able to get some of its legs back with the home stretch of the regular season looming.

The Champions seek their first non-district win in four chances this season when Mt. Pleasant visits for homecoming. Both teams enter with a 1-3 record.

The extra time off to prepare for coach Walt Smith's Tigers couldn't have come at a better time.

"The good Lord's blessed us 'cause this hit us at the perfect time," Cascade coach Kenny Parker said. "We've had some injuries. We've had some time to get over it."

After five full days off between the scheduled days off, the flu and the weather, the Champs spent Monday in the school gym putting in portions of the game plan on both sides of the ball.

Parker admitted he did see some rust and their timing was off on Tuesday but simply had to deal with "horrible field conditions" as long as lightning didn't creep over Bedford County. The coach did say his team showed much more production in the mud Wednesday.

"What scares me is I've seen a couple of teams play after they had the week off and they're not sharp," he said. "I don't guess we were real sharp the last time we played either. But, (the bye) has helped us."

The last time out Cascade received their worst beating in recent history, falling 57-14 at South Pittsburg, the No. 1-ranked team in Class A.

After falling 42-9 in the season opener at Davidson Academy, Parker had nothing but praise for the Bears, calling them the best team he'd ever coached against while at the Bell Buckle/Wartrace school.

Scratch that. He's now seen even better.

"(South Pittsburg) is the best team I've faced since I've been at Cascade, no doubt," Parker said.

The speed the Pirates but on display showed the Champs how important it is to adjust their angles on the fly.

"We see what it takes to move up to another level. And, we see how important it is that when you play against good competition, you've got to play your best," Parker said.

"The angles that our kids were accustomed to taking got them a step behind when they got to South Pittsburg and made them look so. They see now that during the course of a game you've got to adjust the angles that you take offensively and defensively."

The Pirates averaged 9.6 yards per carry, while holding Cascade to 2 yards per attempt. The film work showed the Champs some of their mistakes that they're working to correct in practice this week.

"They were a little more focused, a little more humble and embarrassed with their performance," Parker said of his team. "That game will make us better for that reason. Hopefully, that's not going to happen again."

While the weather has hampered some of what Cascade's wanted to do in preparation for Mt. Pleasant, homecoming week hasn't been much of a distraction.

With their eyes fixated on winning District 9-A and another playoff run, the Champs want to break a three-game losing skid to the Tigers and get the ball rolling in a positive direction.

"This is a game that you want to try to gain momentum going into that final five stretch (of district games)," Parker said. "You want to try to keep kids healthy. We had a chance to work some different kids this last week what little time we were able to go outside. Hopefully, we've got some more kids available that can help us come game time."

Mt. Pleasant has been outscored 102-48, including a 29-0 loss to rival Wayne County in Week Four. The Champs are on the bad end of a 133-75 differential.

On the season, Tiger running backs Jerrell Houston and Tristen Tisby have combined for 45 carries, 401 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Devan Nance has completed 30-of-63 passes for 348 yards and 3 TDs.

"Their skill is good, there's no doubt about that," Parker said. "We've just got to come together and play team ball. Team ball beats athletes. Teams that play team ball are hard to beat."

Cascade Middle plays Community Middle tonight and that contest could wreak some havoc on a game field that is likely to stay saturated on up to kickoff Friday night.

"The thing about sloppy weather and a sloppy field is it's sort of a neutralizer," Parker said. "It sort of brings all the aspects of the game back together. It slows the speed people down."

With the Champion passing game behind sophomore quarterback Jared Carkuff gradually taking on more and more importance, much of what they're able to do will rely on keeping the pigskin dry on the sidelines.

Carkuff has connected on 34-of-59 passes for 358 yards and four scores. Tyler Bowen, Ricky Hord and Gerald "Happy" Johnson have eight or more catches apiece.