david.royal@daily-tribune.com
Cass is looking to break into the win column tonight when it hosts Sequoyah at Doug Cochran Stadium.
On paper the contest appears the most even match the Colonels have played so far this season, as both teams have 0-3 records in Region 7-AAAA and their offensive and defensive performance are strikingly similar.
Coached by Rick Casko, the Colonels have losses to Woodland, 39-26; Rome, 38-14; and Johns Creek, 35-13, who have a combined 7-2 record on the year. The Colonels are averaging scoring 17 points per outing while giving up 37 points on the scoreboard.
The Chiefs, led by Jim Teter, have losses to Creekview, 24-14; Johns Creek, 34-0; and Northwest Whitfield, 31-14, teams with a combined 6-3 record this season. They have been shut out once and are averaging nine points a game while surrendering 29 points.
Last year, the Colonels lost to the Chiefs by a 31-28 score..
Casko said Cass will once again be facing a team with more experience and size. "We have to gain experience by playing," he said. "That's the only way you can get it."
Cass coaches are emphasizing mistakes by their young players and how to remedy them as they try to make games a learning experience.
"We have to put it all together for our players so they can be where they are needed," he said.
Casko said a lot of the success against the Colonels, as expected, is from older athletes on their opponents' teams making plays.
"When you have a young team," he said, "it's easy to see they missed a tackle or didn't understand their assignment," he said. "We have had a lot of bright spots, too, though. We are getting good effort."
He noted of Cass's 22 starters, 14 hadn't played on Friday nights before this season.
Cass also is getting its share of injuries.
"We have missing starters who are dinged up," he said. "It's a process where we're young but we're staying positive. They are going to make mistakes, but as long as we are working hard we are accomplishing something."
He said the positives may seem small at times but are building.
"We had a sophomore chase a runner 80 yards before he could get a hand on him," Casko said. "He was unable to make the tackle, but he didn't give up."
He said Deon Hardison also got an interception, adding he's one of a number of players playing well at times. "No one is standing out, but a lot are getting better."
The top Colonel said his players will get somewhat of a familiar look tonight.
"They play the Wing T, with a lot of traps, sweeps and plays out of the shotgun," he said. "They are a lot like Johns Creek but don't pass as much."
Cass coaches have been challenging their players to put forth the necessary effort to begin winning. "We are asking 'Are you in or are you out?'"
He said that commitment is expected throughout the football season and at every aspect, including in the classroom.
Casko said the response has been good from the team, as always.
He added the Colonels also will get a boost because new uniforms will be available.
"They weren't ready for our first game but tonight we will be coming back to our facility," he said. "We've been away the past two weeks and I know our kids will be excited to play in Doug Cochran Stadium."
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.