Top-ranked Cavaliers thump ’Cats

By air and by land, the St. Thomas More Cavaliers had it all working in 54-0 drubbing of the Custer High School Wildcats last Friday evening on More’s home field in Rapid City.
The defending Class B state champions had little trouble with the ’Cats, building up a quick 35-0 lead before taking their foot off the gas by mixing in backups and eventually ending the game with 5:12 left in the third quarter due to the mercy rule.
“They are a well-oiled machine,” Custer head coach Russ Evans said of the Cavaliers. “They have the size, athleticism and speed.”
The Cavaliers’ first touchdown came via a punt return by Zander Zandstra, and they got their first touchdown through the air on their next possession when quarterback Noah Wald went deep to Cooper Sales for a 53-yard score.
Zandstra scored again at the 3:40 mark of the first quarter on a 50-yard jaunt up the middle, and Wald hit another touchdown pass about a minute later from 18 yards out, this time to Jack Carpenter.
“I felt our defense was in position at times, and they had to make a perfect throw and catch, and they did,” Evans said. “Credit to our guys for being in position, and credit to (More) for making the plays not many other teams do.”
Sales scored again early in the second quarter on a 12-yard strike from Wald, and it was at that point More began to substitute backups into the game, although most of the offensive starters remained in the game for the first half.
Wald used his feet to get into the end zone for More’s next touchdown, as he started right, ran back left and dodged Custer tacklers on his way to a three-yard score and a 42-0 Cavalier lead.
That remained the score at the half, and the Cavaliers scored again at the 11:44 mark of the third quarter on a Wald-to-Baron Slusarski strike from 34 yards out.
Meanwhile, Custer had to turn to freshman Austin Kern at quarterback, as starter Veek Johncour had left the game with injury. Evans said his availability this week is yet to be determined.
The game was ended via mercy rule when More running back Joseph Giacometto ripped off a 41-yard run for a score.
There were positives for the Wildcats, as they won the turnover battle 1-0, not committing a turnover in the game, and did experience some success moving the ball, although they could not sustain a drive.
“We had some good runs against them, but the doggone penalties...we do things at the worst possible time and it ends up hurting us and stalls our drives,” Evans said. “We didn’t turn the ball over. We actually got a fumble recovery. We will take that. Anything positive.”
The Wildcats passed for 51 yards and ran for another 98 yards in the game, with Archer Vershure picking up 101 yards on 16 carries. Johnchour completed five of 17 attempts for 51 yards. The defense was once again paced by Lincoln Golder, who had seven tackles.
Despite the now 0-6 record, Evans said the Wildcats continue to stay together, something he has preached to them all season long.
“Focus on yourself. We didn’t focus on (More) or how good they are. We focused on ourselves and getting better one rep at a time,” he said. “Don’t worry about who you are playing, just get out there and do your job and give great effort.”
The Wildcats have another tall task this Friday evening at Wildcat Field when the Canton C-Hawks come to town. The C-Hawks are 4-2, and have defeated both Dakota Valley and Tri-Valley,  who both handily defeated Custer.
“They aren’t as big as (More) but they are pretty quick,” Evans said. “They have speed and are aggressive. They will create problems for us.”