Cardinals fail to catch Bulldogs, fall 56-20

The Hampton-Dumont Bulldogs (4-0) coasted to an early lead on the way to a 56-20 district win over the Garner-Hayfield/Ventura Cardinals (1-3, 0-2).  The passing game largely caught the Cardinals on their heels, as six of eight Bulldog pass completions went for touchdowns.

After putting up 28 points in the first quarter, the Bulldog offense was held at bay, but the Cardinals struggled to make up the deficit against a physical Hampton-Dumont team. Broken plays and large gains gave the Bulldogs the advantage over the ground and pound nature of the Cardinal offense.

“We struggled out of the gate … and it’s very difficult to come back when you are down 28-0,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp. “We have to work on our mistakes and clean some things up.”

GHV’s first touchdown came in the second quarter on a four-yard run by Lucas Prohaska.  The PAT failed.  By halftime, the Bulldogs led, 35-6.

The Cardinals found the endzone again in the third quarter, this time on a one-yard run by Logan Miller.  The PAT again failed, bringing the score to 35-12.  GHV scored one more time in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Conner Shaw.  Colby Reid ran the conversion for two points, 49-20.  The Bulldogs scored at the end of the game for the final, 56-20.

The Cardinals were led on offense by Shaw with 85 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown; Logan Miller added 77 yards on 14 carries and recorded a touchdown; Lucas Prohaska tallied 43 yards on 11 carries and also had a touchdown.

Prohaska completed one pass on four attempts for eight yards.  Shaw was the receiver.

Logan Miller led the Cardinal defense with 10 and one-half tackles.  Zac Scholl recorded 4 tackles, while Harley Forry and Grady Umbarger and four and three and one-half tackles respectively.

Leading the Bulldogs’ ground game was Isaiah Noelck with 139 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown and Kendrick Suntken had 59 yards on six carries and a touchdown.

Cole Miller took the lion’s share of the passing with seven completions on nine attempts for 200 yards and five touchdowns. Also contributing was Coleton Barz with one pass completion on as many attempts for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs’ receiving corps was lead by Bailey Miller with two receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns; and Charlie Flickenger had three receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinals travel to Charles City (3-1, 2-0) this week to play the Comets. 

“This week we play Charles City … a team that is playing very well,” said VanDusseldorp.