Cloud On A Roll

Reuther tosses 3 TD’s in OT road win. Defensive stop ices game.
Photos by Cassie Rickert

White Cloud 30 Hesperia 27 (OT)
3-0!
Ok, a forfeit in there but hey, 3-0 is 3-0 right ?
The last time the Cloud began a season 3-0 Ronald Reagan was winding up his final year as President and Kirk Gibson made World Series history as he limped up to the batter's box and delivered a game winning pinch hit homer for the Dodgers. A mere 33 years ago.
But here we are, 3 weeks into the season and there’s a burgeoning buzz building among the White Cloud faithful on the chances for a winning season for the first time since the ‘03 team finished 7-3.
A tight game went into overtime and it took a huge stop on a 4th and goal play to deliver the win in the conference opener for both teams.
Carl Brown led the defense with 8 tackles, while Wes Penland tallied 7 and  Mason Ruether and Jace Silverthorn added 5 each.  On offense, Silverthorn paced the WC ground game with 115 yards rushing and a touchdown and Landyn McGowen added another 75. Taylor Bode finished with a team high  83 yards receiving including one in the end zone, Tray Brunson had 66 yards with a TD, and Alex Cruzan had 30 with a score. Mason Ruether passed for 197 yards and tossed for 3 TD's. 
For the Panthers, Brandon Quin had 125 yds and a touchdown on 25 carries, Travis Kurtz pulled in 3 receptions for 111 yards and 2 TDs and  Armando Escobejo had two TD passes and one rushing score.

Can the Cloud (3-0, 1-0) make it 4 in a row?
The stands should be packed this week with fans looking to see how their team fares against  Holton (1-2, 0-1). The Red Devils lost a heartbreaker to Morley when their comeback fell short so they will be primed to get back in the win column.
However, this WC team has gained a little momentum so it should be a barnburner come Friday  
Going into this season  White Cloud football teams have won just 10 times in their last 96 times on the field along with a 2-13 record in forfeits, so seeing some success on the gridiron in the county seat is a nice early season surprise.
And  that 3-0 team from ‘88?
Well, let's just say the rest of the season turned out to be quite a struggle.
This group of players know nothing of that history. 
But so far they’ve shown that they know how to win.
Go Cloud!