Winning gamble caps Cascade comeback

Strange things tend to happen on Friday the 13th. This November's version is no different.

Trailing 24-0 with just over 20 minutes separating 10th-ranked Cascade from a season-ending loss to fifth-ranked Signal Mountain in the Class 2A state playoffs, it was going to take a magical performance to keep hope alive.

After a first half that yielded nearly as many turnovers (five) as rushing yards (13), things were beginning to look bleak for the Champions. Oh, and they were also having to overcome injuries to linebacker Christian Edmondson (finger) and guard/defensive end Brandon Jarrell (concussion) that put the pair out of the game.

But, Cascade never stopped believing, found the magic it sought with the passing game and Ricky Hord's 32-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jared Carkuff brought them to within 24-23 with 1:42 to play.

Without hesitation, the Champion coaches passed on the thought of a potential game-tying extra point and decided to attempt the two-point conversion.

The play call out of a timeout was North 600 Score. Carkuff rolled to his right, lofted a pass up into the end zone and wide receiver Tyler Bowen came down with the game-winner. The 25-24 win was the final game of 2009 at The Stable.

"There wasn't a conversation," said Cascade coach Kenny Parker about whether or not to go for the two-pointer. "We were going for two during the timeout. We just weren't sure which play we wanted to go. It was two all the way. We've got about four two-point plays, and we wanted to make sure that we had the one in that we wanted in. When it's to be, it's to be and the one we wanted to run in is the one the kids wanted.

"We just called the game, they executed. Did they not play a second half? Wow!"

Bowen, who caught six balls for 126 yards and two scores (21, 47), described the play.

"When the ball went up in the air I knew I had to get it before that dude did cause that dude was taller than me that was in front of me," he said. "So, I just judged it good and kind of bobbled it and caught it as it was coming down. By the grace of God, it happened."

Cascade (8-3) advances to the quarterfinals where it meets No. 2-ranked Boyd Buchanan (10-1), which knocked off Marion County 28-6. Kickoff in Chattanooga is Friday night at 7 EST.

"It feels amazing 'cause our team actually did what I know that they can do," Bowen said. "I'm glad we finally came together because I didn't want it to be our last game. Every one of the 16 seniors on the team didn't want it to be our last game."

The victory was a career milestone mark for Parker as he earned No. 100 at the school where he once played.

"I appreciate having the opportunity to work here," he said. "I've had great coaches to work with, great kids, great players and great parents. It's not one person."

For the longest, it looked like Parker would enter the winter stuck on No. 99.

The first play after Eagle Luke Locke intercepted a pass, Will Queen gathered in a 42-yard touchdown reception from Hogan Whitmire for the first score early in the second quarter.

Three plays later, Signal Mountain defensive lineman Will Swayer sniffed out a screen and intercepted a pass to give his team the ball on the Cascade 5-yard line. Whit Sitton took advantage and ran in a score from 3 yards out.

Dane de Wet booted through a high-arching 40-yard field goal to put the visitors ahead 17-0 at the half.

Three interceptions, two fumbles and zero points sent the Orange and Black into the break shaking their heads.

"In the locker room we were saying that it'd be so easy just to give up and let them run over us, but to be a real man, to be a real football team and to be a real family, it was going to take all of us to come back. And, it took all of us -- fans, people on the sideline, everybody," Bowen said.

An interception by Bowen, a big sack on a fourth-and-two by Caleb Chavis and a fumble recovery in his own end zone by Justin Powell helped keep things close.

"To be down 17-0 at halftime, I thought our defense played awful well," Parker said. "We gave them the short field a whole lot, and they only got 17 points out of it. That was a big plus. Offensively, it was there, we just weren't executing."

Mitchell Hall streaked straight through the middle of the Champion defense for a 34-yard TD catch from Whitmire. De Wet's extra point put it at 24-0 with 8:18 to go in the third quarter.

Following a tough first half throwing the ball, Carkuff led the offense back. In the second half alone, the sophomore completed 13 of 16 passes for 232 yards and three TDs.

"We told (Carkuff) at halftime, 'If we're going to win this game, you gotta be the catalyst. Win or lose, you're going to be the catalyst. You've got to forget about the bad things and get ready to play the next play 'cause the only one you've got control of is the next one.' Jared did a good job," Parker said.

Carkuff hit Bowen for scoring strikes of 21 and 47 yards in a 5-minute span at the end of the third quarter. Another pass to Matt Henderson for a two-point conversion helped shrink the deficit to 24-14.

Josh Molder kicked a 22-yard field goal with 6:01 to go in the game before Hord's TD grab set up the final theatrics.

Michael Martin's 16 tackles led Cascade defensively. Anthony Smith and Jordan Lacey contributed 11 stops apiece. Carkuff finished with 324 passing yards.

The Champs were held to 38 yards rushing on 23 attempts. Signal Mountain (10-2) gained 161 yards on the ground on 49 carries. Whitmire completed nine of 21 passes for 124 yards.