Cyclone Dominance Isn't A Fairy Tale This Season

Just a couple years ago, Clearwater-Orchard set out on a Cinderella-like run through the playoffs all the way to the state semifinals, only to be topped by eventual runner-up and this week’s opponent, Burwell. If the Cyclones can take down the Longhorns this week, no one will be calling them a Cinderella story this time around.

O-C has been arguably the best story on the gridiron all year. After winning just two games last year, the Cyclones returned all but two players from a young squad that showed a lot of promise. I, like many O-C fans, expected them to have a strong year this year. However, I admittedly didn’t expect it to be so dominant.

The Cyclones have destroyed opponents on both sides of the ball, scoring an average of 54 points a game and giving up just 48 total points all year, including just six in the past three weeks. They have shown the ability to cripple any offense they face and have had very little trouble moving the ball, averaging 371 yards a night of total offense.

The two-man quarterback attack of Blake Hoke and Chris Kester is enough to keep defenses on their heels. Coupled with the running game of Kester, Creston Bertschinger and Jacob Long, the Cyclones are a lethal attack.

All that will be tested against a team that has had O-C’s number lately, Burwell. The Longhorns took their first loss last weekend against West Holt, proving they aren’t bulletproof, but they may be angry. The two teams are nearly identical in their dominance, as Burwell has given up just over 12 points a game and scored 45.

​If O-C can take Burwell down this week, no one will be calling them a Cinderella this postseason.