COMANCHES CRUNCH WILDCATS!

Watching a Cahokia Comanche football game can be an exciting experience because you never know when the Comanche offense is going to light it up.  It can be all game long as it was against Alton and Lutheran North or it can be fourth quarter fireworks as it was against O’Fallon and again last night against Marion.  The Marion Wildcats came in with a 3-0 record and left Cahokia 3-1 after experiencing the quick scoring, big play offensive powder keg that is the Cahokia Comanches. The Comanches improved to 4-0 and despite their slow start against the Wildcats, showed once again why they are ranked so highly in the IHSA Class 5A poll beating Marion 30-14 in South Seven Conference play.

After holding Marion on their opening possession the Comanches moved the ball primarily on the ground in the first quarter behind the running of seniors Khyree Beckley and Rodney Scott.  The Comanches had a 1^st and goal just inside the Marion 10 Yard line but couldn’t punch it in as the Wildcat defense held and stopped the Comanches on a 4^th and goal at the one yard line.  The goal line stand by the Wildcats provided them some momentum as they put together a 20 play, 99 yard drive taking the lead on a 10 yard run by Wildcats back Zach Irwin with 9:45 remaining in the half.  The extra point was good and Marion took a 7-0 lead.  The Comanches came right back scoring on their next drive on an 11 yard pass from quarterback Patrick Ivy to running back Khyree Beckley.  The extra point was good and the score was tied 7-7.  That didn’t last long as Marion returner Shekiel Ivy returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.  The extra point was good and the Wildcats had the lead again 14-7.  But once again the Comanches came back on their next drive moving 75 yards down the field on just four plays, under one minute and scoring on an eleven yard pass from quarterback Patrick Ivy to receiver Jimmie Hunt.  The extra point failed and the score was 14-13 Marion at the half.  Marion Coach Kerry Martin said, “That’s the thing about them.  You can do all the right things and they are just one play away from scoring.  Every time they have the ball they can score on just one play.”

As the second half began the Comanche defense set the tone.  Led by senior linebacker Erwin Fridge, the Cahokia defense held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half keeping the rushing offense of the Wildcats in check.  After a scoreless third quarter the Comanche offense sprung to life again in the fourth quarter.  Cahokia Comanche Coach Antwyne Golliday said, “We made a few adjustments and changed some personnel.  I knew we would come back.  We just slowed some things down and played our game.”  A 54 yard touchdown pass from Ivy to Hunt capped an 85 yard drive that seemed to change the complexion of the contest.  The extra point was good and Cahokia led 20-14 with 9:50 left in the game. The Comanche defense held again and the offense drove to the Wildcat 10 yard line where the Comanches had to settle for a 20 yard field goal making it 23-14 with 6:10 left in the game.  Marion was unable to muster any offense and gave the ball back again to the Cahokia offense.  The Comanches were on the move again and scored on a 2 yard run by junior running back Greg Hayes.  The extra point was good and the Comanches now led 30-14 with 2:41 left in the game. The Cahokia defense finished up holding the Wildcats as the Comanches won 30-14.

September 19, 2009

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