Cavaliers win big on Homecoming over Caston
CULVER - The Culver running game was in full force again Friday night, but this time a passing and defensive touchdown were also part of the 38-12 Hoosier North Athletic Conference victory over Caston in front of an enthusiastic Homecoming crowd.
“It’s always fun to get a Homecoming win, right?,” said Culver head coach Mike Zehner.
The game was actually close at halftime (14-12), but after the Homecoming festivities the Cavaliers outscored the Comets 24-6 for the convincing win.
Star running back Shane Shuman was fantastic again (34 carries, 247 yards, 2 TDS, 2 PAT runs), but Ethan Binion also had a night to remember. The sophomore scored a rushing TD, a receiving TD, and a third off an interception return.
“He had the trifecta,” added Zehner. “He deserves it. He works hard. He’s done a complete 180. He has a huge upside for a sophomore. We’re very excited about that. I’m pretty pumped about his ceiling. He really worked hard in the offseason and it shows. He doesn’t come off the field for a reason. He’s our punter, outside linebacker, runs some counters for us on offense. He showed up.”
His first time in the end zone came on Culver’s only completed pass (in just two attempts) when QB Jason Cadle found him wide open on a down-and-out route. The play covered 25 yards. His final two TDS came in the fourth quarter, helping turn a 10-point game into a 26-point route.
His second score of the game finished off a 10-play, 56-yard drive with Binion rushing for 37 of the yards, the last 10 putting him in the end zone. Two Caston series later, Binion stepped in front of a Landon Shafer pass, picked it off and
sprinted down the left sideline for a 45-yard pick-six. He finished with 64 yards on 10 carries rushing and averaged 34 yards per punt.
Shuman got the game off to a great start by breaking a 57-yd run on the first play from scrimmage and two carries later was in the end zone to complete a 70-yard drive. In the third quarter, he punched it in from a yard out (with a little help from Braiden Molebash) to end another 70-yard drive, with Shuman responsible for 63 of those yards.
“That’s back-to-back games over 200 yards for him and he’s over 1,000 for the season,” said Zehner. “He’s our career rushing record holder. He’s our guy. When we need something, we’re going to him and everyone knows it. He’s our dude.”
Caston’s dude was quarterback Landon Shafer, but the Cavs held the senior signal-caller to 110 yards passing. He did have one touchdown pass and five receivers had receptions.
“We were worried about their passing game,” admitted Zehner. “That Shafer kid has a good arm, does a good job and they have some athletes.”
But not enough to keep up with the Cavaliers on this night. Culver is now 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the HNAC. Caston is 0-7, 0-5 HNAC.
• CULVER 38, CASTON 12
At Culver
Score by quarters
Culver 8 6 8 16 - 38
Caston 0 6 6 0 - 12
Cul - Shane Shuman 2 run (Jason Cadle run)
Cul - Ethan Binion 25 pass from Cadle (run failed)
Cas - Kyle Roudebush 4 run (run failed)
Cas - Grant Yadon 23 pass from Landon Shafer (pass failed)
Cul - Shuman 1 run (Shuman run)
Cul - Binion 10 run (Braiden Molebash run)
Cul - Binion 45 interception return (Shuman run)
Culver Caston
19 8
356 61
25 110
1-2-0 8 -16-1
3-34 2-24
1 1
9-75 6-25