CACHE — Defense into offense; it’s simple, but it gets the job done.
That’s exactly what Cache did Friday night at Ulrich Stadium as the Bulldogs forced four turnovers and created ample scoring chances to blow out Lone Grove, 45-8.
The Bulldogs also racked up more than 300 rushing yards along with four rushing touchdowns to control the game and kick off the Faron Griffin era in Cache with a bang.
“You never know what to expect coming in with a new group of kids and a new system,” head coach Griffin said. “I was really nervous, but we had a great week of practice. They’ve bought into everything and I’m really proud of this group of young men.”
Senior running back Hayden Nunley led the charge offensively as he had 13 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Trevis McDaniel busted an electrifying 72-yard touchdown run down the visiting sideline at the start of the second quarter as he mixed his blazing speed with several cuts and jukes before racing to the house to make it 15-0.
Quarterback Jayden Garcia added the Bulldogs’ third rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. All in all, the Bulldogs tallied nine runs of 15 yards or more — five of which went for more than 20 yards. It was all thanks to the offensive line.
“Best offensive line in the state without a doubt,” Nunley said. “Our coach always wants the ball to be in our hands and run it, run it, run it and use our speed to an advantage while getting the (defensive) lineman tired.”
“Our line… we’re gonna go as they go,” Griffin said. “If they play well, we are going to win.”
The Cache defense stepped up early forcing two straight three-and-outs and recording three first half sacks to set the tone.
After the first three-and-out, Payton Hunt — who got the starting nod at quarterback in light of disciplinary issues for Garcia — scored Cache’s first touchdown on a one yard QB sneak to make it 7-0.
Hunt had three total touchdowns including two through the air — one on a five yard pass to tight end Cameron Alston and another on a beautiful 50-yard strike over the top to wide receiver Devin Pauley. Those both came in the third quarter to make it 38-0 Cache.
“Payton managed our offense really well the entire game,” Griffin said. “He had an opportunity and he took it.”
The Bulldogs had their offense firing on all cylinders, but they really got jump-started by forcing back-to-back turnovers in the second quarter — both via Hayden Nunley.
“It was great supplying some turnovers for my team and get us in scoring position and give us a chance to run up the scoreboard,” Nunley said.
Nunley made a fumble recovery before setting up his own 17-yard touchdown run. Moments later, he picked off a pass to set Cache up just outside the red zone. Kicker Nathan Angiel then made a 21-yard field goal to give Cache a commanding 25-0 lead heading into halftime.
“Coach always talks about swarming to the ball so we really wanted to emphasize that,” said Pauley who also plays defensive back and recovered one of Lone Grove's three fumbles. “Get guys on the ball runner and when people are holding him up, we get a free shot at the ball.”
The Bulldogs’ mentality defensively was set on day one upon Griffin’s arrival and it will likely carry them far this season as they contend for the district title in 4-1.
“We preach defense first — swarming to the ball with 11 red helmets at all times,” Griffin said. “We’re gonna live by that all year long.”
Lone Grove was undone by three fumbles and one interception but did manage one score by on a 76 yard touchdown pass to Kemyon Sophus from Montana Stafford with 10:13 left in the game. Sophus had four catches for 96 yards and was the lone bright spot for Lone Grove which struggled to move the ball.
But the Longhorns had little answer for a dominant Bulldogs squad poised for a successful season.
“You get a new system and there are two ways it’ll go,” Pauley said. “Guys will either hesitate and lose the game. Or if you buy in, results like this will happen.”
Scoring Summary
1st C LG
Cache: TD (7:30) Payton Hunt 1 Yd run (Nathan Angiel PAT good) 7 0
2nd C LG
Cache: TD (11:41) Trevis McDaniel 72 Yd run (Nunley 2 pt. conversion good--run) 15 0
Cache: TD (8:00) Hayden Nunley 17 Yd run (Angiel PAT good) 22 0
Cache: FG (2:10) Nathan Angiel 21 Yd field goal good 25 0
3rd C LG
Cache: TD (6:31) Cameron Alston 5 Yd pass from Payton Hunt (PAT no good--blocked) 31 0
Cache: TD (3:17) Devin Pauley 50 Yd pass from Payton Hunt (Angiel PAT good) 38 0
4th C LG
Cache: TD (11:34) Jayden Garcia 11 Yd run (PAT good) 45 0
LG: TD (10:13) Kemyon Sophus 76 Yd pass from Montana Stafford (2 pt. conversion good) 45 8
Score by Quarter
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Cache 7 18 13 7 45
Lone Grove 0 0 0 8 8