Cardinals handed their first loss

(Above) GHV quarterback Ryan Meyers had a big night passing, connecting on 14 of 23 passes for 194-yards in the air.

Despite nearly even offensive statistics, the Clarion-Gold-Dows-CAL Cowboys (4-2, 2-2) spoiled the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura  (5-1, 3-1) homecoming spirit by winning 38-17.

A very strong offensive rush attack from the Cowboys proved difficult, but not impossible, for the Cardinals to stop. In the end, it was turnovers that culminated in the Cardinals’ first loss of the season.

CGDC opened the game with a big 33-yard kickoff return, then pounded away for the next five minutes before being shut down on the GHV 12-yard line.

The Cardinals drove the length of the field before the big leg of Connor Burke drilled a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

A short kickoff and good return gifted CGDC with a short field and subsequent one-yard Nate Rapp rushing touchdown. The PAT kick was good, giving the Cowboys the 7-3 first quarter advantage.

GHV struggled throughout the second quarter offensively, committing two interceptions and one three and out drive. Meanwhile, the Cowboys rushed for two more touchdowns.

For their part, the Cardinal defense stopped two second quarter drives and both PAT attempts, keeping a manageable halftime deficit, 19-3.

A 59-yard monster pick up by Nick Joynt early in the second quarter set the stage for him to run it in on the following play, scoring on a nine-yard run. Burke’s PAT kick was good, bringing the Cards to within nine.

CGDC ground out another lengthy drive to score on a 15-yard Kainan Braun rushing touchdown. The PAT pass attempt was no good, making the score 25-10.

A failed fourth and four-yard Cardinal attempt and a 78-yard Cowboy rush put CGDC up six more. The PAT kick was good to close the third quarter, 32-10.

But the Cards never gave up.  They drove the length of the field the old fashioned way before Ryan Meyers connected with Joynt on a 25-yard passing TD. Burke’s PAT kick was good.

The Cowboys put it in the end zone one more time for a final score of 38-17.

“Friday night we struggled a little stopping the run,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp. “The athletes continued to battle through the whole game, but we just came up a little short.”

The Cardinal offense outdid the Cowboys 414-yards to 394; while managing similar comparisons in first downs, 19 to 20; total plays, 60 to 64; punts, two. The difference in the game was turnovers.  The Cardinals committed three, while the Cowboys had none.

GHV rushed for 220-yards, while 194 came by air.  Meanwhile, the Cowboys had 384-yards rushing and 10 passing.

Leading GHV’s offense was Joynt, with 119 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown.  Conner Shaw had 106-yards on 20 carries.

Meyers had a big night passing, going 14 of 23 for 194-yards, throwing one touchdown.  He was held back by throwing two interceptions. Doing the catching for the Cards was Joynt with 132-yards on eight catches and a touchdown. Anthony Sherwood had 27-yards on three catches, while Chase Theobald had 25-yards on two catches and Shaw had one catch for 10-yards.

Leading the Cardinal defense was Theobald with 10 tackles.  Shaw and Jace Pringnitz each recorded four tackles.  Pringnitz and Sherwood each recorded a sack.

Kainan controlled the Cowboy offense, taking on passing and rushing duties as he managed 211 yards on 20 carries for four touchdowns. Nate Rapp also recorded 98-yards on 24 carries for two touchdowns.

The Cardinals travel to Cresco next week to take on the district-leader Crestwood Cadets (4-2, 4-0).

“We will battle back and continue to fight through this very difficult district,” said VanDusseldorp. “It will be a good test of how well we can improve on our run defense.”