Key matchup ahead for Cascade

The improved play of senior defensive end Anthony Smith (87) is one of the many reasons Cascade's defense has allowed a total of just 22 points the last three games combined. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

A clear path to the TSSAA state playoffs is on the line for tenth-ranked Cascade when it travels to Middle Tennessee Christian on Friday night.

The Champions (4-3, 3-0 District 9-A) are sitting pretty atop the district standings for the moment but the Cougars (3-5, 3-1) are right on their heels. A loss would put the Champs in a three-way tie for first with the tiebreakers working against them, meaning they would likely need a wild card to get into the postseason.

There are no clear prerequisites for the wild cards. Thus, a Cascade team that ventured all the way to the quarterfinals a season ago could be on the outside looking in this year.

Last week, the Orange and Black trounced county rival Community 45-0 at The Stable. The Cougars smoked Huntland 28-0.

MTC is guided by first-year head coach David Peden, who played his high school football at Brentwood Academy under legendary coach Carlton Flatt. Peden knows what a winner is supposed to look like. He was a lineman on BA teams that won state championships in 1995 and 1996. He also was an assistant coach for the Eagles on the 2006 team that claimed the Division II Class AAA title.

Winners of three straight, the Champs appear to be hitting their stride both with the implication of the Pistol offense and an ever-improving defense.

While senior defensive linemen Anthony Smith and Cody Glenn, along with junior linebacker Christian Edmondson, are all upperclassmen, they're a prime example of older players the team had to depend on heading into the season that didn't have many meaningful snaps under their belts.

With an extremely difficult non-district schedule and seven games behind them, the youngsters up front on both sides of the ball are playing faster and reacting instead of thinking.

"They're getting better, gaining some confidence and playing hard," said Cascade coach Kenny Parker, pointing primarily at the inexperienced seniors and sophomores in the trenches. "They're beginning to understand what the game is defensive-wise and it's really helped us.

"You've got to learn how to get off a block. You can't just go upfield, you've got to be able to rip, swim and cross their face and take on the trap. The only way you're going to get that is through game experience."

As a result, the Champs have outscored their last three opponents by a combined score of 126-22. The defense has allowed a mere 113 passing yards over that stretch.

Sickness and wet weather have wreaked havoc on practice this week, forcing the team either indoors or onto the soccer field. Approximately 10-12 kids have been absent this week already, which makes it tough to game plan.

"When it gets toward the end of the season, everybody's going through these same problems," Parker said. "So, your younger kids have got to be ready to step up.

"We're not real deep but the ones who stepped up, gave us some good time Tuesday and Wednesday."

The team was left with just 37 healthy players with which to prepare for MTC.

Several players have stepped up in recent weeks to give starters the occasional breather. Kyle Saylor and Travis Madgett at outside linebacker, defensive end Hunter Seibers, offensive lineman Alex Ervin and defensive tackle Spencer Forsythe are all earning more playing time.

Quarterback Ivey Starling leads the Cougar pro-style offense that likes to pound the football behind a pulling guard and a fullback. If the 6-foot, 165-pound senior drops back to pass, he'll be looking to complete timing routes or screens mostly. They try to get the ball into the hands of running backs R.J. Miller and Stephen Brent, along with wide receiver Chris Beasley.

The strength on both sides of the ball for MTC lies up front behind center/defensive tackle Logan Waldron among others.

Coats makes plays from the linebacker position as well in the second level of their 4-3 defense.