by winner-within » Wed Oct 02, 2013 10:24 am
PREP FOOTBALL: Cavalier has outscored its opponents 280-0
A 56-point game would be an offensive outburst for most teams. For Cavalier, its 56-point game decreased its season scoring average by 4.7 points. Cavalier is off to a 4-0 start and, other than a 56-0 win against Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page, has scored more than 70 points in every game.
A 56-point game would be an offensive outburst for most teams.
For Cavalier, its 56-point game decreased its season scoring average by 4.7 points. Cavalier is off to a 4-0 start and, other than a 56-0 win against Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page, has scored more than 70 points in every game.
Cavalier, the No. 1-ranked team in North Dakota 9-man high school football, has outscored its opponents 280-0.
“When (our point total) was in the 100s, it seemed pretty amazing then,” said senior quarterback-defensive back Ryan Chrest.
“But you don’t focus on the points. You just want to play good defense. It’s pretty funny; we could still be 4-0 if we were averaging one touchdown a game. The offense is for show. Defense wins championships.”
On defense and offense, Cavalier has been dominant. The Tornadoes have the highest offensive scoring average as well as the lowest defensive points-allowed average in the entire state, regardless of classification.
The offense has been so efficient that the Tornadoes have punted only three times this season. Chrest has rushed 25 times for 375 yards and eight touchdowns and is 13-of-20 passing for 258 yards and four TDs. Senior classmate Brock Robbins has rushed 40 times for 494 yards and nine TDs.
Lots of mop-ups
The numbers could be even higher if the Tornadoes’ starting unit played more. But big leads have meant a lot of playing time for reserves.
“Our starting offense has played three quarters in only one game,” Cavalier coach Sandy Laxdal said. “In the other games, it’s been the first half and, at best, maybe the first series in the third quarter.
“We’re a run-first team. We have big-play potential with our speed. We’ve been pretty efficient.”
And the Tornadoes have been stingy on defense.
The defense starts up front, where the line of Justin Gibson, Blake Kaercher, Jeff Stith and Bryton Kaercher has controlled the line of scrimmage.
Robbins is a playmaker at linebacker, leading the team in tackles (40), sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (19). Chrest anchors the secondary. Rounding out the starting unit are linebackers Cody Walton, Keyton Smith and Dylon Stevenson.
“Brock is so quick off the ball and anticipates so well,” Laxdal said. “He flies around and makes plays. The other kids feed off that. Ryan covers the field from sideline to sideline, making plays all over. And he’s the one who gets everybody in the right place.
“But it takes an entire defense to shut down teams, not just a few kids. Our biggest strength is our team speed. You need that in 9-man, to take away the big, game-breaking plays that you see a lot. Our kids get to the ball and do a lot of gang tackling.”
Offensive statistics don’t interest the Tornadoes. Defensive stats do.
“We’re covering the field and getting nine guys to the ball,” Chrest said. “We have competition about who is getting the most tackles. If somebody cuts in front of you to get a guy, you help him up and say, ‘Hey, you took that tackle from me.’
“It’s a pride thing, not letting anybody score on us.”
If you can’t excel with talent, triumph with effort.