(Free) Cashion Defeats Thomas 28-7
This game featured two of our top 5 teams in class A as #2 Cashion took on #4 Thomas. Both teams came into the game with state title aspirations and a handful of prospects we have had our eye on this year. Cashion took an early lead and looked to be in control before Thomas made things interesting in the 2nd quarter. Ultimately though it was Cashion’s experience and physicality that prevailed in this matchup. Let’s take a more detailed look at how the game went.
First Half
Cashion started with the ball in this game and they wasted no time once they got it. On their first drive, QB Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK connected on a long post route to Brexten Green Brexten Green 5'11" | Wide Receiver Cashion | 2021 OK and then found Mason Manning Mason Manning 5'11" | Wide Receiver Cashion | 2022 OK on a quick pass to score the games first touchdown and take a 7-0 lead with 8 minutes to go in the first quarter. Then, after a turnover on downs from Thomas, Cashion once again scored quickly on another Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK pass, this time to WR Landon Lagasse Landon Lagasse 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Cashion | 2022 OK , to take an early 14-0 lead towards the end of the first quarter. Through 1 and a half quarters of this game, it looked like Cashion was going to run away with it as they scored on their first 2 drives and were suffocating Thomas’ offense. However, with a few minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, Thomas’ QB Jaxon Ward Jaxon Ward 6'0" | QB Thomas | 2021 OK stepped up and completed a long pass to Senior wideout Jaxen Mannering Jaxen Mannering 6'3" | Wide Receiver Thomas | 2021 OK to set them up in the RedZone and eventually score on an 11-yard pass to Noah Rainwater Noah Rainwater 6'2" | Wide Receiver Thomas | 2021 OK . Then to gain some more momentum going into halftime, Thomas’ Ethan Hamberlin Ethan Hamberlin 6'1" | RB Thomas | 2021 OK picked off Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK on a drive where Cashion was moving down the field with authority. Cashion led 14-7 at halftime.
Second Half
Thomas started off hot in the 3rd quarter, intercepting Harman for a second time, however, the second half was controlled by Cashion for the most part. The 3rd and 4th quarters consisted of a lot of runs from Cashion from Senior Caden Harrell Caden Harrell 6'1" | LB Cashion | 2021 State OK who ran with great power and contact balance in this game and had a rushing TD early in the 4th quarter. Thomas had trouble getting much of anything going in the second half as Cashion was simply more physical on defense with linebackers Caden Harrell Caden Harrell 6'1" | LB Cashion | 2021 State OK , Jacob Farrow Jacob Farrow 5'10" | LB Cashion | 2021 OK , and Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK . However, all was not truly lost in the 4th quarter for Thomas until Cashion WR Mason Manning Mason Manning 5'11" | Wide Receiver Cashion | 2022 OK made an incredible play where he broke a handful of tackles and made some impressive moves in the open field on his way to a 33-yard touchdown to put the game away at 28-7 with 8 minutes to go in the 4th. Overall, Cashion won this game with their physicality on defense, and their play-making ability on offense
Player of the game – Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK – 269 yards, 3 touchdowns
Looking Ahead
For Thomas, they have the athletes and playmakers on offense to compete with the best in class A, and they have some guys on defense that should keep them in the mix, but their lack of physicality was exposed at times on Friday night. If they want to make a deep run in the playoffs then they will need to strap in and start playing with a little more power, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
For Cashion, although they were not perfect in this game with a few turnovers, they showed that they are not to be taken lightly this season. With players like Caden Harrell Caden Harrell 6'1" | LB Cashion | 2021 State OK , Ben Harman Ben Harman 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Cashion | 2022 State OK , and a plethora of thumpers on what may be their best defense in the past few seasons, Cashion certainly has a shot at the Gold Ball in Class A come November.