Night of Firsts as Cavs Down Horseshoe Crossing

The number that mattered on Friday wasn't the final score. It was how many Cavs got on the field for real minutes. Nearly every player in the program saw meaningful time, including guys still early in their football careers who don't usually get that chance.

It turned into a night of firsts. Easton Langenau caught the first touchdown of his football career. Ethan Bourassa hauled in his first at the high school level. Carson Mitchell led the team in tackles for the first time, finishing with five.

The veterans made a lot of that possible. Guys who have been in this program for years spent the night coaching up the younger Cavs in their roles, on the sideline and between snaps. That's the part that doesn't show up on a stat sheet.

Plenty did show up there too. Marshall Diggens went 10 of 13 for 217 yards and 5 touchdowns. Davin Bankebabone threw two of his own and caught a 72 yard score. Carson Stewart reached the end zone three different ways, on an 85 yard kickoff return, a 53 yard punt return, and a 69 yard catch. Davanni Brown needed two carries for 75 yards and a TD. Ten different receivers caught a ball. The defence held for four quarters: 64 total yards allowed, two forced fumbles, a safety, and a shutout.

Respect to Horseshoe Crossing. Starting a program from nothing is hard work and every team that plays this game deserves credit for showing up. Good luck the rest of the way.