Character Analysis
One of the three factions in the territory wars, the Cadets are a group of students from military school who come to Jellicoe every September to spend six weeks camping in the bush as part of a "life education program" (2.73). It's because of this yearly trip that the territory wars are an annual event: The original five planned the skirmish to coincide with Jude's visit to their town.
Obviously, the Cadets' military background makes them an intimidating force in the territory wars. Jessa McKenzie probably puts it best when she tells Taylor that they "mean business" (2.47)—they're in the habit of using violent force, even throwing all the students' bikes over a cliff one year and kidnapping three seventh graders for barely crossing into their boundaries.
Think of it this way: If the territory wars are really a war, then you'd probably expect the military troops in training to have the upper hand. And you'd probably be right.