Cayuga defense plays big against Ganado

The Cayuga defense was a big part of the 41-19 win over Ganado Saturday night in the Class A, Division II semifinals.
The Wildcats stopped Ganado on all four fourth-down attempts, with two of those coming when the Indians were inside Cayuga's 30-yard line.
- The first stop came on the opening drive when Ganado moved the ball to the Cayuga 29-yard line for a third and one. The Wildcats stopped a run for no gain setting up fourth and one. Ganado tried to pass for the first time, using play action, but Cayuga was there on defense as Maclome Kennedy tipped away the pass into the hands of Deon Hale for the interception.
- In the second quarter, Ganado moved the ball just inside the 50-yard line with over a minute left, facing a fourth and six. On another pass play, Ganado quarterback Donovan Foster rolled to the right but his pass feel incomplete because of the coverage by Kennedy. It was a critical stop because it halted extra momentum Ganado could have had going into the lockerroom.
- The next fourth-down stop came after Ganado intercepted a Cayuga pass on the first possession of the second half, trailing 20-7. The interception gave the Indians the ball on Cayuga's 3-yard line and the Indians moved it to the 20-yard line for a fourth and five. Ganado tried a trick play with a toss going to Josh Labay, who stepped back looking to throw. But Cayuga had the play well covered in the secondary and all Labay could do was try to run for the first down, but he only picked up 2 yards. What looked like a golden opportunity for Ganado to get within a score turned into a big time stop and Cayuga scored on their next possession.
- The final fourth down stop came in the fourth quarter when the Indians were desperate, down 34-13 with six minutes to play. After the defense had two sacks to put Ganado in a fourth and 18 from its own 29-yard line, Foster rolled to his right and was able to avoid a pair of defenders who were looking for a sack. Foster had a chance to find a receiver for the first down, but the pass was knocked away from behind by Kennedy. Cayuga scored in four plays to put the game away.