Champs hope to win one for seniors

The Cascade seniors will be honored this evening before taking the field for their last regular season game. Kickoff against Huntland is at 7:30. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Mothers will get teary-eyed, dads will smirk with pride and boys will...well, just be ready to play some football.

Tenth-ranked Cascade celebrates Senior Night shortly before kickoff against District 9-A foe Huntland at The Stable tonight at 7:30.

The 15 Champions that will line the field have helped the football program at the Bell Buckle/Wartrace school reach newfound heights. They boast a gaudy career record of 37-8 since their freshman year.

"It's just been a tremendous class," coach Kenny Parker said. "We could see it coming. They were very successful in the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grades."

Cascade (6-3, 5-0 9-A) has already clinched the District 9-A title but doesn't want to share it with Forrest, who defeated Moore County 46-10 Thursday night to finish 5-1 in the district. The Champs also want to gain some momentum heading into the TSSAA state playoffs and cap a festive evening with a victory.

"We want this night to be special for our seniors and that's the way we're going into it," Parker said. "Seniors, all they remember are their last games. This is their season. They've been tremendous to this program. We want to send them out the way that they've represented us the last four years and play good, hard football."

The Champs led 34-0 at halftime before cruising to a 47-15 win at Moore County in Week 9. Quarterback Jared Carkuff threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while tailback Matt Henderson ran for 121 yards and three scores.

Carkuff also kicked 5-of-7 extra points but will hand those duties back over to Josh Molder, who missed two games with illness. However, Michael Martin will continue to boot kickoffs.

"It's a big plus, especially for (Molder) to be there Senior Night," Parker said.

Huntland (4-5, 2-3) took a hit in the district standings last week by losing 24-12 to Eagleville.

The Champs have cruised for much of their league schedule, but Parker and his staff are doing what they can to make sure the team doesn't get complacent or take the Hornets lightly.

"It's a challenge," he said. "You've just got to come out and work every day. We've had some success these last 4-6 games and have to take a business-like attitude."

The coach hopes his team can continue climbing their ladder of success.

"The first step was the summer offseason conditioning program. The second step is the regular season. Now, we've got to get everything ready for the third step, which is the playoffs," Parker said.

"So, we've got to continue to work and get better every day. After this next week, you've got to play to stay. Our kids have had some experience the last four years in the playoffs, and they know how important those practices and those things are, especially our older guys. They know that every week could be their last week after this week."

After juggling various lineups and working through injuries for several weeks early in the season, it looks like the Cascade offensive line has found some cohesion with Anthony McPheron at center, Cameron Brinkley and Brandon Jarrell at guard alongside Drew Thomas and Eric Ross at tackle.

"We're finally getting some people that are accustomed to each other, they can feel each other and know what each other is doing. That's big up in the front. I do think we're getting a little better week-by-week up there," Parker said.

Most football teams across the state are used to playing on a soggy, muddy surface after one of the wettest falls in recent history. Tonight won't be any different, although it's unclear at this point if it will rain during the game itself.

"We've wore rubber boots for five weeks now so we're getting accustomed to it," Parker said.