Cardinals improve to 6-2 with win over Midgets

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura Cardinals (6-2) barreled through the Estherville (2-6) defense Friday night en route to a decisive win over the Midgets. The ever-consistent GHV offense was as effective as ever, bleeding another victim dry with a relentless barrage of short gains that accumulated into a 399-yard night for the Cardinal offense.

“The offensive and defensive lines had great games. We played a good game,” said GHV Head Coach Scott VanDusseldorp.

The Cardinals kicked off to Estherville, which was soon forced to relent possession of the ball. GHV’s offense chugged and trudged to the end zone after a six-minute, 16-play drive. The longest play on that drive was a 14-yard gain, but nearly every snap resulted in positive yardage. The Braden Meints point after touchdown kick missed, bringing a close to the first quarter.

The GHV defense gave the Midgets a firm backhand on the following possession, driving them back into their own red zone, where a resulting punt gave the Cardinals good field position. 

Meints lead the Cardinal offense to another rushing touchdown, but missed the PAT.

Tough Cardinal defense forced an Estherville three and out. The following drive was a mixed bag of carries that saw several ball carriers pick up positive yardage for the Cardinals. The drive came to a close with a Shaw-Shawn connection for six as Spencer Shaw found Shawn Murphy on a 19-yard pass and touchdown. The Meints PAT run was good for two. 

Upon receiving the kickoff, Estherville attempted to regain some ground with a pass, but a conniving Meints took advantage of the Midget’s folly and intercepted possession of the ball.

This time, Estherville, refusing to relent after a few setbacks, kept the Cardinals from entering their end zone and held GHV to field goal, which was kicked by Meints.

The halftime score was 23-0, Cardinals.

GHV was quick to show they hadn’t already packed up their gear and called it a win.  They came out with guns blazing and marched down the field to score another Meints rushing touchdown and PAT kick.

The unfortunate Midgets couldn’t seem to get their act together, as Colton Knutson picked off another pass attempt, giving the ball back to the Cardinals.  But this time it was the Cardinals’ turn to turn the ball over in the form of a fumble. 

After a valiant effort and some positive yards, Estherville surrendered the ball with a punt. 

The Cardinal offensive line continued to make gaping holes for the ball carriers, but as they approached the Estherville end zone, another fumble led to a turnover on downs.

With several big-gain passes, Estherville marched the length of the field to prevent the goose egg and picked up their first touchdown and PAT two-point conversion on a pass, bringing the final score to 30-8, Cardinals.

The Cardinals had absolute offensive control with 399 total yards of offense recorded; 360 yards rushing on 67 attempts and 39 yards passing on five attempts and three completions. 

The Midgets had 115-yards of offense, 147 coming from the air on 20 attempts with 12 completions.  It was a shutout night for the GHV run defense, as the Midgets recorded -32 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

The Cardinals were led on offense by Meints with a staggering 236-yards rushing on 37 carries for three touchdowns. Tyler Buck followed with 52-yards on seven carries. Tyler Buck had 24-yards on five carries and Nic Tusha had 23 on five, respectively. - Read More Via e-Edition