Cardinals drop close one, 19-16

 The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura Cardinals (1-2) fell to the Forest City Indians (2-1), 19-16, in a close bout of back and forth scoring Friday night in the 2A District opener for both teams.
 The Cardinals were first on the board with a break away, 87-yard touchdown run by Logan Miller with a Connor Burke kick to put them up seven.

 The momentum continued, as a quick turnover on downs gave the Cardinals the ball back, leading to another long run for six by Josh Miller. Burke’s kick was good once again to put the Cardinals up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Indians came back with a big quarter of their own, grinding the ball down the length of the field to score a five-yard passing touchdown.
A nearly 30-yard pass play gave the Indians another score and PAT just before the end of the half. The two teams took to the lockers with the Cardinals up 14-13.
The Cardinals made adjustments and exhibited a strong display of defensive stands and takeaways leading to a safety, and two more points for GHV, 16-13.
Both teams anxiously watched the clock as the game ticked away. It was the Indians who made a game changing 49-yard touchdown pass to give them the lead indefinitely, 19-16.
“In the first quarter things were clicking on all cylinders and we were able to move the ball very well,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp. “Forest City made some adjustments and we were not able to get in sync again.”
The Cardinal defense played tough, operating under a bend-but-don’t-break mentality, keeping the Indians longest rush attempt to 10 yards and the longest pass completion the 49-yard nail in the coffin touchdown. But in the end, the Indians’ offensive prowess won out, giving them the win.
GHV finished with 207 yards, all rushing. Forest City finished with 340 yards of total offense, 125 rushing and 215 passing.
The Cardinals were led on the ground by Logan Miller, with 152 yards on 19 attempts and one touchdown. Josh Miller chipped in 54-yards on six attempts with a touchdown.
The Indians’ rushing game was lead by Tyler Prescott with 79 yards on 24 attempts and one touchdown. Tanner Thompson contributed 24 yards on 12 carries.
Thompson also passed for 215 yards, completing 12 of 21 attempts, throwing two touchdowns and one interception.
Fumbles plagued both teams. The Cardinals committed five and lost four, while the Indians had six and lost three.
“It becomes very difficult winning a ball game if you fumble the ball five times, losing four of them,” said VanDusseldorp.
The Cardinals were led on defense by Conner Shaw with seven and one-half tackles. Gabe Umbarger had six and one-half tackles, one sack and nabbed a safety. Also contributing was Harley Forry, Chase Theobald and Connor Smith, each with six tackles. Matt Sonquist had five and one-half, Grady Umbarger and Logan Miller each had four, Zac Scholl, Corey Hauptmann and Josh Miller each had three and one-half, while Hauptmann had two sacks and Josh Miller one.
“This week we play a very physical Hampton-Dumont team. They are picked as one of the district favorites. We need to have a focused week in practice and come ready to play Friday night,” said VanDusseldorp.
The Hampton-Dumont Bulldogs are 3-0. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. in Hampton.