Here’s a look at the Canadian Wildcats heading into the 2025 football season. Press Pass Sports reporter Lee Baker took a minute with head coach Andy Cavalier to ask him about the season motto, what it’s going to take for another deep playoff push and his key players returning that includes running back Slayden Dickinson.

2024 resume

Head coach: Andy Cavalier, third season at Canadian, 24-5. Sixth season overall.
2024 Record: 10-4 overall, 5-0 in District 1-3A Division II. Class 3A Division II state quarterfinalist.

Returning starters 

Offense: 3
Defense: 4
Season opener: vs, Elk City, Okla., 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.

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Players to watch

Slayden Dickinson, 5-11, 175-pounds, RB-DB, Sr.

Dickinson put his name on the Texas Panhandle map last season with a breakout campaign that saw him rush for 1,629 yards with 20 touchdowns. Coach Cavalier is looking for Dickinson to now move into a bigger role as a leader and carry on that success this season.

Riggs Pennington, 6-6, 195-pounds, TE-DL, Sr.

Pennington has tremendous size and length which makes him dangerous on both sides of the football. He is a pure difference maker and matchup nightmare.

Marcus Herrera, OL-DL, 6-0, 240-pounds, Sr.

Herrera is the anchor in the trenches for the Wildcats. The senior plays with toughness and is extremely strong which makes him hard to get around and hard to defend.