In the game of football, most coaches like to preach two things. The pair of facets that coaches love to emphasize? Establish the run and halt the opposing team’s ability to run the football.
On the opening night of the Texas high school football season, Canyon accomplished both objectives against Perryton.
The Eagles relied on a combination of strong running and opportunistic defense to rough up the Rangers via a 29-6 final score on Thursday at Happy State Bank Stadium. Canyon not only built up an impressive 22-0 halftime, but also forced four turnovers — which included three interceptions off of Perryton star quarterback Cooper Schilling.
“Their energy was so great,” canyon head coach Todd Winfrey said. “I just thought we played high tempo defense. We tackled well. We kept (Schilling) contained and didn’t let him run around. That was key to our defensive game plan. And (Perryton junior receiver Gordo Estrada) is so explosive, but we didn’t let him hit something big over the top.”
The rest of this story is only for subscribers.
The Eagles had plenty of success on the ground, churning out a total of 319 rushing yards with seven different players. Canyon then limited Perryton to just 48 yards on the ground.
“Our offense revolves around our offensive line,” Winfrey said. “They know that, and everybody else knows that. When things aren’t going great, we’re going to hang our hat on them. We tried to do multiple things, because we have to grow and get better. It didn’t all look pretty, and that’s fine.”
Wideout Bayler Schilling put on a stellar performance on Senior Night, transforming a second quarter bubble screen into a 76-yard touchdown. Late in the third period, Schilling prevented a Perryton scoop and score.
“My teammates blocked really well,” Schilling said, crediting his fellow Eagles. “All I did was run outside and outrun (the Perryton defenders). (In the third quarter,) I looked over and I caught (Perryton junior Kane Kinney) running down the field. I had to get him. When I saw him slow down, I just punched it right out. It worked out for us.”
The Rangers did put together several drives, reeled in two interceptions of their own, and almost converted Kinney’s fumble recovery into a touchdown. However, Perryton had trouble putting points on the scoreboard.
According to Perryton head coach Josh Hernandez, it was a contest of missed opportunities.
“I told our team that we didn’t complement our phases very well,” Hernandez said, following the game. “We just could not get all three of our phases working together. Our offense will get rolling a little bit, but then our defense came out and allowed (Canyon) to drive the field and take too much time off of the clock. We’ve got to get better there.”
The Eagles start the season with a 1-0 record, while the Rangers dipped down to 0-1 to begin their autumn campaign.
Canyon will travel to Andrews next Friday, with a 7 p.m. kickoff time at the Mustang Bowl. Winfrey is glad that the Eagles possess an extra day to prepare for the Mustangs.
“We’ll get to work pretty quick,” said Winfrey. “Andrews runs that slot T, and that’s so tough to defend. (Head coach Tom Harvey) does such a great job. It’ll be our first road trip of the year. If you want to get into the playoffs and make road trips, you got to practice doing it now. That’s what this (upcoming) week will do for us.”
According to Bayler Schilling, the defensive unit is willing to put the offense on its back if needed.
“We generated some great momentum (against Perryton),” Schilling said. “I have full faith in our defense, especially against Andrews. If our offense comes through, we’ll be fine.”
The Rangers entertain Dalhart for their home opener, with gametime set for 7 p.m. next Friday at Ranger Field in Perryton.
“We’ve got to get back and get better,” said Hernandez. “We’ve got a really good Dalhart team that’s going to come in, and get ready for a very similar game — a smashmouth style of football. We’ll get busy trying to get better on both sides of the trenches and try to improve this team.”
Things weren’t so rosy for Canyon to start the game, as their opening drive resulted in an interception. Despite setting up shop deep in Eagle territory, the Rangers were turned away by Canyon’s defensive unit.
On a fourth and long with 8:43 left in the first, Schilling heaved a pass into the endzone. Canyon’s Will Kilgore jumped in front of Estrada and reeled in the football for the first INT.
Minutes later, a muffed punt by Perryton allowed the Eagles to take over in Ranger territory. Junior quarterback Brox Hacker made good on the turnover, rushing up the middle for a long touchdown run with six minutes left in the first period.
The Eagles pushed that lead to two scores with 6:52 left until the break, as Schilling snagged a screen next to the home sideline. Schilling then bolted down the straightaway, and recorded a 76-yard score.
“(Schilling) did a great job,” Winfrey said of the touchdown. “He had a good stiff arm, kept his balance and stayed in bounds. His strides cover about eight yards, so he looks fast.”
Four minutes later, Canyon senior running Rudy Flores plunged into the endzone from two yards out. By halftime, Canyon enjoyed a 22-0 advantage.
The score remained for another 12 minutes, despite Perryton’s best efforts to bridge the gap. Late in the third quarter, the Eagles marched into Ranger territory with the intention of putting the game away.
Hacker took the snap and went into play-action, before the football jumped out of his hand. Kinney tracked down the pigskin, reeled it in and sprinted down the field for a possible six points. At the one yard line, Bayler Schilling knocked the ball out of Kinney’s hands, allowing it to bounce harmlessly out of the back of the endzone.
The play resulted in a touchback for the Eagles. According to Winfrey, the sequence of events defined the game itself.
“It’s hard to do a write up about that, but that is the play of the game,” said Winfrey. “We give little award stickers, and (Schilling) may earn a dozen on that one play. In our world today, it’s so easy to just give up and get ready for the next play. To have that kind of intensity and do what he did? We’re going to watch a lot of plays (on Friday), and we’re going to watch that one a bunch as a team.”
“That’s kind of the kid he is,” Winfrey said, praising Schilling. “I’m just proud of him.”
The Rangers did prevent the shutout, getting on the board with 9:43 left in the game. Estrada snagged his first touchdown reception of the season by the skin of his fingertips, resulting in a touchdown connection with Schilling.
The two-point try was unsuccessful, though, with Canyon commanding over a 22-6 advantage. Estrada ended the night with 11 receptions for 130 yards on offense, and an interception on defense.
“He’s a really talented player,” said Hernandez. “He’s a two-way player, so he doesn’t come off the field. He can’t come off of the field if we’re going to be successful. He’s a good kid who works hard. He and Cooper, they are our leaders for a reason — their work ethic is out of this world.”
“(Canyon) knew that we wanted to get the ball to him, and they had taken him away,” Hernandez continued. “We figured a few things to get them to bite on the run game, and maybe open up some stuff off the top. He’s a good player, and he’s going to have to continue to be if we’re going to have a chance to win some of these football games.”
The Eagles responded on their next drive, which culminated in a three-yard touchdown plunge from junior running back Austin Turner. With 3:44 left, Canyon pushed their lead to 29-6.
It was a lead that the Eagles would maintain until the final horn.
Schilling ended the night with 82 yards and one TD on just two receptions, while Turner paced the Canyon rushers with 95 yards and a score on 10 carries.
Flores picked up 60 yards on 11 attempts, while sophomore quarterback Reece Baca went 3-of-6 for 87 yards and a TD pass. Hacker was 3-of-6 for 12 yards passing, along with rushing for 38 yards and one TD on four carries.
On defense, junior Rudy Sattler and sophomore Asher Cunningham each hauled in one INT, alongside Kilgore’s initial pick.
Cooper Schilling went 14-of-27 for 152 yards and one TD. On defense, Schilling also led the Rangers with eight solo tackles.