Cedarville’s first three plays last Friday night were a cumulative loss of 22 yards, with 16 coming on a sack by Seth Wilson.
It would not get any better for the visitors as the Bearcats pushed Cedarville backward to the tune of a minus 50 yards rushing while sailing smoothly to a 49-0 homecoming night victory with Queen Mary Grace Haynes looking on.
Following a punt to end the aforementioned initial possession of the night the Bearcats (4-0, 1-0 Conference 3A-1) took two plays to score. Damari Poole got 20 yards and Dylan Todd got the touchdown from the 22 for a 7-0 lead.
Oliver Loaeza successfully kicked extra points after all seven touchdowns.
With their second possession the Pirates (1-3, 0-1) got what would be their biggest play of the night but Dakota Mattson tracked down a receiver and caused a fumble after a 59-yard gain. Conner Droemer recovered the fumble.
After the turnover the Bearcats would go from their 10-yard line to the Pirate 14 – Washburn threw to fellow queen escort Noah Harrel for 23 yards on one play – but turned it over themselves with an interception.
Cedarville again retreated on its next possession, then punted, and the Bearcats needed just one play, a 46-yard Conner Lentz carry to make it 14-0.
The Pirates managed their first first down of the game on the next possession but a fake punt did not fool Cutler Haller and the Bearcats had the ball back at their 49 with still 3:50 to play in the opening quarter.
It was 21-0 before the quarter break as Lentz got his second touchdown from the 6.
The lead would double to 42-0 before halftime.
First, a 48-yard Hunter Warren run got the Bearcats into the red zone and after Jace Washburn connected with Mattson for 13 yards, Rhett Nietert scored from the 5 for his first touchdown of 2024 and it was 28-0.
Warren (shown with Wilson on a tackle) recorded the second Bearcat sack of the half to force another Cedarville punt on the next possession and it took two plays for the lead to grow to 35-0.
Jace Washburn connected with Mattson for the touchdown with Mattson weaving his way 47 yards for the score giving the senior touchdown receptions in all three seasons of his senior high career.
Jace Washburn was 3-of-4 passing on the night for 83 yards.
Jace Washburn had an 82-yard run on the next possession, the kept for the touchdown from the 2, giving him a team high 91 yards rushing, and it was 42-0 with 4:04 to play before halftime.
The Bearcats would actually have another chance to score after Aiden Fox deflected a fourth down screen pass and Haller picked it off, but the Bearcats opted to allow the clock to run and stayed in victory formation with Nietert under center.
The Bearcats would also opt to kick off to start the second half.
The Pirates were able to pick up one first down but ultimately surrendered the ball on downs after a Blade Petchenik third down sack and an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Tayden Washburn took over as quarterback and ran 44 yards for his first career touchdown with the running clock ticking under five minutes to go in the third quarter and it was 49-0.
With the run, Tayden Washurn joined a group of six Bearcats with at least 45 yards as the offense ran for 393 yards.
The Bearcat defense recorded a third takeaway to end Cedarville’s next possession when Loaeza picked off a pass.
The ensuing possession ended with a turnover on downs, as would Cedarville’s final opportunity to avoid being shut out.
The Bearcats will be on the road at Hackett next Friday taking on the Hornets, who lost 36-6 at Mansfield in their 3A-1 opener Friday.
BEARCATS HAVE SMOOTH SAILING ON HOMECOMING NIGHT
