Canadian High School

Canadian Wildcats 2009

If winning one state championship feels amazing and taking back-to-back titles is awe-inspiring, what must it be like to win three in a row?

That’s an answer head coach Kyle Lynch and the Canadian football team hope to provide at the end of the 2009 season.

The 2008 campaign was certainly one to remember for the Wildcats, who punctuated their 13-1 record by hammering Mart 38-7 in the state championship game.

“Last year was really an awesome experience,” Lynch said. “Much of last year’s success can be attributed to our outstanding senior class. Those guys will always be remembered for their unselfishness and team-first attitude. For those guys to leave with two state championships is really amazing; 2008 will be a year we will never forget.”

Although he welcomes back only two starters on offense and one on defense, Lynch said he is excited about the Wildcats’ upcoming season. “We will be a very young team with several important holes to fill,” Lynch explained. “Many of our younger guys got some really good playoff experience last season and we are hoping that carries over into 2009.”

The Wildcats may not have much experience when it comes to returning starters, but they do have quality. Both senior quarterback Brandon Robinson and junior defensive end Ryan Alexander (6-2, 230) were named to the all-state first team squad following their ’08 performances.

Robinson’s passing numbers were prolific. He completed 224 of 351 tosses for 3,269 yards, 44 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He also carried the ball 49 times for 250 yards and four more scores.

Alexander, described by Lynch as “very physical with a high motor,” was a menace to opposing offenses. His final stats included 20 solo tackles, 50 assists, 15 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Senior offensive tackle Kade Yarnold (6-2, 220) also started every game in 2008. He will be joined by fellow tackle Taylor Chappell, 6-6, 270-pound junior who saw significant playing time in every game as a sophomore.

Seniors Will Schafer (receiver/defensive back) and Randy Acosta (linebacker) also logged plenty of playing time in 2008. Shafer caught three passes for 75 and a touchdown on offense and registered five tackles, 13 assists and two interceptions on defense. He also handled the Wildcats punting and kicking chores. Acosta was a starter for four games before a knee injury ended his season. His contributions included 10 tackles, 30 assists, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Other players to watch for Canadian in 2009 include junior receiver Jacob Ramirez (four receptions, 88 yards, one TD in ’08), senior lineman John Haley (5-11, 210), sophomore running back Braden Hudson, junior receiver Bo Albin, junior WR/LB Parris Robinson and sophomore RB/LB Brandon Breyde.

The ’Cats most promising newcomers include seniors Barrett McCormick, Austin Coven and Aaron Arbuckle and juniors Chris Diaz, M.T. Morrow, Michael Ochoa, Tyler Ellison and Obed Quezada.

Canadian kicks off non-district play with consecutive home games against Amarillo River Road (Aug. 28), Abernathy (Sept. 4) and Woodward, Oklahoma (Sept. 11). They also play back-to-back road contests at Shamrock on Sept. 18 and Perryton on Sept. 25.

The Wildcats begin their trek through District 1-1A on Oct. 9 when they travel to West Texas High. After visiting league rival Stratford for an Oct.16 slugfest that will feature the 2008 Class A Division I and Division II state champions, the ’Cats finally return home Oct. 23 to battle Booker. The Wildcats wrap up the regular season with an Oct. 30 road trip to Sunray and the Nov. 6 home finale against Gruver.