Cards rope Cowboys, 52-6

[caption id="attachment_13596" align="alignleft" width="270"] Jack VanDuesseldorp runs through the C-G-D defense on his way to a good gain. The GHV sophomore carried the ball four times for 35-yards against the Cowboys.-Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.[/caption]

There was no doubt who the better District 2 team was Friday night after the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Cardinals (7-1, 5-0) defeated the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys (1-7, 0-5) 52-6 in an absolute beatdown in every facet of the game.

“It was a nice win,” said Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp.  “We were able to play some backups and get them some game experience.”

The game started slow, comparatively. After what amounted to little more than a penalty-riddled three-and-out, the Cowboys punted. The Cardinals fumbled and turned over the ball shortly thereafter.  But after another forced three-and-out by the Cardinal defense, and a powerful showing from the Cardinal offense, it seemed the game’s fate was decided. Shaw Conner was the first to put points on the board, followed shortly by Dane Whipple’s PAT kick.

In the second quarter, Nick Joynt found the end zone on a three-yard dive followed by Whipple’s PAT kick.

An interception by the Cowboys offered the drive hope before the half closed, but Chase Theobald came through in a big way on a 73-yard pick six to close the half on a 20-0 Cardinal lead.

The third quarter was ugly for the Cowboys. Ironically, it was also their best from a statistical standpoint.

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Seconds into the half, Cade Baker burst onto the scene with a 59-yard touchdown. Lucas Prohaska followed that up with a two-point quarterback keeper.

Seconds later Nick Joynt secured the ball for the home team again by way of interception with a 34-yard return. On the following play, Jack VanDusseldorp hit the end zone hard on a nine-yard rushing touchdown for the Cards.

The bleeding continued as a take-no-prisoners Cardinal defense forced a three-and-out after holding the Cowboys to negative yards on the possession. The ensuing punt was taken to the house by Joynt on a 47-yard tote.

The Cowboys’ shining moment of the game came on a drive that began with a short kickoff and solid return. After two run attempts went nowhere, GCD went to the air where Braun Kainan found Chase Harker on a 39-yard pickup. After another failed run, the Cowboys took to the air again, connecting once more with Harker for a 12-yard touchdown.

Todd Finley wrapped up the game with a 32-yard touchdown for a final score of 52-6.

“We still need to clean some things up with penalties etc.,” said VanDusseldorp.  “Overall I’m pleased with the way we played, especially in the second half.”

The Cardinals tallied up a season high 501-yards rushing compared to a season low of two yards rushing allowed on defense. The only glimmer of light for the Cowboys came on the passing game where 105-yards and a solitary touchdown were put into effect.

Leading the offensive front for GHV was Shaw with 194-yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. Baker had 100-yards on six attempts for one touchdown; Joynt added 72-yards on eight carries for two touchdowns; Lucas Prohaska had 40-yards on six carries; VanDusseldorp had 35-yards on four carries for a touchdown; Finley had 34-yards on two carries for a touchdown; Brandon Feuring had 14-carries on two touches; Dylan Mahlstadt had eight-yards on two carries; and Anthony Sherwood had seven-yards on two carries.

Doing the passing for the Cards was Prohaska, with one completion on three attempts for 13-yards to Shaw.

The Cardinals were led on defense by Baker with five tackles and two sacks. Finley added four and one-half and a fumble recovery. Chase Theobald had four tackles and two interceptions for 73 total yards and a touchdown on the returns. Joynt had one and one-half tackles and one interception with a 34-yard return. Shaw and Feuring added three tackles; Connor Smith and Gabe Umbarger had two and a half each; Dane Whipple, Matt Sonquist and Grady Umbarger had one and a half tackles each.

The Cowboy offense was led by the aerial unit. Kainan Braun completed six of 13 passes for one 105-yards and a touchdown. His receivers were Israel Rivera with four catches for 54-yards and Chase Harker with two catches for 51-yards and a touchdown.  Leading the Cowboy run game was Reymundo Vasquez with 23-yards on 14 attempts. Also contributing positive yardage was Jarrod Littlejohn with two carries for seven-yards.

GHV heads East Friday night to take on the Clear Lake Lions (4-4, 4-1) for the district title.  “This week is going to be a tough week. We will have to come prepared if we want to have a good showing,” said VanDusseldorp.

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