Cayuga tops Overton

Strength, speed and almost an ironclad first-string defense enabled state-ranked and District 20-A leader Cayuga to a 55- 6 basting of the Mustangs.

The Wildcats tallied seven touchdowns in their first eight possessions. Cayuga's Traylon Shead, Malcome Kennedy, Billy Duncan, Broc January and Joel Jenkins built a 55-0 imbalance by the third quarter and never punted until the fourth.

Overton's record was leveled to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in District 20-A. The loss halted a three-game winning streak for Overton. Cayuga is 2-0 in district and 5-1 for the season.

The lone Mustang touchdown came in the last two minutes of the game. Jacoba Gardner caught a Cory Perry punt and broke three Wildcats until Perry himself stopped Gardner at Overton's 42-yard-line.

Gardner penetrated the black-and-gold defense again for a gain of 2, then John Michael Florey took the next snap by Telvin Darden to the 49. Florey was assigned the next charge and the 'Stangs earned a first down in Cayuga Country on the 48.

Darden relied on Florey again, this time to the air for a successful pass to the latter on Cayuga's 23. A Wildcat surge on the following play brought Darden down for a five-yard loss. The Mustang QB fired long and deep towards the left side of the end zone and junior Scott Osburn outreached a 'Cat defender to catch leather and step in six points.

It was Osburn's first varsity touchdown. "I was trying to catch it," he said. "I knew we were down to our last chance to score and this was the best play we had going for us."

Overton's stubborn drive drew standing applause from the home side of the stadium and airwave admiration from the Cayuga sportscasters in the press box.

There was 1:16 on the clock. Robert Gonzales' PAT was blocked by a blitz of Wildcats. Cayuga received Darden's punt at their 46 in the closing minute. Second string quarterback Chance Caldwell kneed the last plays to empty the clock.

Cayuga, in its second season under Tommy Allison, was praised by Overton coach Ty Robinson.

"They're the best [Class] 1A team I've ever seen. They are really good and I hope to make Overton like that. We're going to use tonight as a learning experience to play somebody like them. We had looked at the Cayuga videos. Looked at their executions and how to counter them. Something broke down in executing them tonight."

Overton visits Alto on Friday.