KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | It was apparent that Oneida was up against a stiff challenge with Friday’s trip to West Knoxville to face Division II foe CAK. But if there was any hope that the Warriors might overlook the Indians, that was quickly extinguished by a CAK squad that looked primed to make a serious run at a state championship in December.
CAK (3-1) scored on every single possession, rolled up more than 400 yards of offense, and led 42-0 by halftime, before a running clock shortened the second half. The Warriors’ defense was just as dominant as their offense, limiting Oneida to only 33 yards of offense and four first downs.
Oneida (2-2) continued to play without injured starting quarterback Connor Mays, who missed a second consecutive game, and had a difficult time generating offense against CAK.
There were positives for the Indians: Oneida did not turn the ball over, and was penalized just twice.
Beyond that, bright spots were hard to find. CAK scored twice in the first quarter, added four more scores in the second quarter, and had put the game away well before the halftime break.
Isaac Kannah scored on a 19-yard run to give the Warriors their first score just 70 seconds into the game.
On the next possession, Seaton Moffett completed a 29-yard pass to Baker Sterchi for a score, and it was a 14-0 game after the first quarter.
The second quarter saw CAK score on two more Moffett touchdown passes, both to Hunter Bennett, before a pair of touchdown runs — one by Kannah covering 41 yards and one by Masyn Apaletegui covering four yards.
The second half saw CAK possess the ball just twice, scoring on a 21-yard run by Easton Sternberg on the first possession. The clock ran out on the Warriors’ second possession of the second half.
Friday’s game was Oneida’s final non-region tune-up. The Indians will host Tellico Plains on Sept. 18.
