Facing their biggest challenge to date in a district showdown of ranked foes, the Caddo Bruins passed impressively by showcasing their ground attack in a 41-24 win over Quinton.
For the first time all season, the Bruins trailed at halftime as the visitors held a 24-21 advantage before Caddo tightened down the hatches and scored all 20 points following the break.
A large chunk of the Bruins’ 386 rushing yards came after intermission as they took complete command on the line of scrimmage.
Caddo remained unbeaten at 6-0, but more importantly notched its first District 4 victory in Class B1 of the season. Quinton meanwhile suffered its first loss to fall to 5-1 overall.
“They were prepared and gave us a few different looks which we had not seen,” Caddo head coach Jeff Wigington commented. “They caught us on a blitz and popped a big one on us right out of the gate before we settled in. We also allowed a kickoff return touchdown. Take that away along with the one big, explosive play and our defense had a pretty good game overall. On offense we had to run the ball quite a bit because they were trying to take away the short pass game. In the second half we lined up in two tight ends and ran the ball to make them stop us. That’s when our offensive line really took control and dominated the line of scrimmage.
“Quinton is one of the better teams in Class B. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them again in playoffs. They are big up front and have some good skill guys.”
It was a back-and-forth opening two periods as Quinton held a 16-7 lead through one frame before Caddo posted a 14-8 scoring cushion in the second to narrow the gap.
The one-two punch of Cale Wigington and Bayler Black were too much for the Savages to contain as they combined to average more than 7.5 yards per rushing attempt.
Wigington piled up 213 of those on 25 totes and scored four touchdowns. Black ran 20 times for 128 more yards and two scores. Jake McKay also rushed once for 28 yards and Noah Carvel had two carries for 17 yards.
The Bruins’ passing game was limited due to the rushing success as Wigington connected on five of eight attempts for 55 yards. He did throw a two-point conversion to McKay, who tallied two receptions for 10 yards. Black caught three out of the backfield for 45 yards.
Leading the way for the Bruin defense was Noah Dry with 18 tackles while McKay netted 15 stops and Jase Counce contributed 11. Dillon Speers and Teryn Spicer both tossed in nine tackles.
Caddo knows the challenge defensively could increase this week with a Savanna offense that has put 72 and 88 points on the scoreboard in games this season while averaging nearly 50 points per contest.
Junior quarterback Aiden Totani is a sensational athlete and dual threat in the backfield.
“Everything goes through the quarterback for Savanna,” Coach Wigington said. “He didn’t play against Dewar after warming up and they struggled to score. When he has been out there he is an electric player. We are preparing like he is going to play this week. Their offense 100 percent revolves around him.
“For us, offensively we are going to do what we do and take what they give us, like last week. We have to keep getting better every week to accomplish what we want to do at the end of the season.”
