Canadian’s Hayze Hufstedler breaks away for a touchdown on the first play of the game against Grapevine Faith on Saturday in Vernon. [Michael Kerrigan/ Press Pass Sports]
In one of the bigger matchups of week 5, the No. 2-ranked Canadian Wildcats took a measure of revenge on Grapevine Faith with an impressive 49-35 victory Saturday afternoon on Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium in Vernon.
The Lions, who were ranked No. 3 in TAPPS Division II, simply couldn’t stop the Wildcats dominant run game.
That run attack started on the first play of the game as Hayze Hufstedler gave Canadian a lead they’d never relinquish, busting loose on a 68-yard TD run.
Hufstedler found the endzone again later in the first on a 12-yard run, extending the advantage at 14-0.
Canadian led by as many as 21 points before Grapevine Faith cut the deficit to 28–21 midway through the second.
Canadian quarterback Grant McCook looks for yards against Grapevine Faith on Saturday in Vernon. [Michael Kerrigan/ Press Pass Sports]
But as it stood all day, Canadian had an answer.
Before the half, quarterback Grant McCook found Reagan Cockran on a 4-yard pitch and catch giving the Wildcats a 35-21 halftime advantage.
The combo of Hufstedler and McCook was a force the Lions won’t soon forget. Since taking over the starting QB duties, the senior McCook had the breakout game fans had been waiting for. With his arm, McCook totaled an astounding 329 yards of offense.
Through the air, he was 14 of 17 for 151 yards and two TDs. But with his feet, the versatile McCook ran for a game-high 178 yards on 17 carries with a pair of scores.
Hufstedler, who had the games first two touchdowns, finished with 142 yards on 17 carries.
MEASURE OF REVENGE
The Wildcats convincing win gets them even with the Lions after a tough loss a year ago. In the same meeting in 2018, it was Grapevine Faith’s run game that stampeded all over Canadian, handing the Wildcats their only regular season loss, 40-21.
KEEP ON WINNING
With the victory, Canadian coach Chris Koetting is now an unbelievable 119-16 in 10 seasons.
UP NEXT
Canadian joins Canyon, Dumas, Bushland and Friona as the five Texas Panhandle teams at 5-0. The Wildcats will have a bye week before opening district play.
The Lions suffer their first loss at 4-1.
Canadian 49, Grapevine Faith 35
Grapevine 0 21 7 7 — 35
Canadian 14 21 7 7 — 49
Key stat:Canadian rushed for 356 yards out of its 507 total yards in the victory.
Top performers
Canadian
Rushing: Grant McCook 17-78.
Passing: McCook 14-17-1-151.
