Cardinals drop close, 18-14, contest to West Hancock

The battle was on between rivals West Hancock and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura in the first football game of the season and G-H/V’s first outing as a combined team on Friday, Aug. 24, in Britt.

“It was a very physical game and I am proud of how our guys continued to battle,” said Coach Scott VanDusseldorp.  “We had some first game mistakes that we will have to work on this week, but all are very fixable.”

The game opened slow, with neither team scoring in the first quarter.  

West Hancock got the ball rolling in the second quarter, recording two touchdowns for an early lead.  The Cardinals got on the board with Alex Van Gerpen catching a 23 yard pass from Spencer Shaw.  The Eagles blocked the GHV punt in the end zone and jumped on the block for a two-touchdown lead at the half, 16-6.

Half way through the third quarter the Eagles fumbled at their own 35-yard line with G-H/V snagging the recovery.  Josh Engstler ran the ball in from four-yards out and picked up the Cardinals’ second TD of the night.  The two-point conversion pass from Shaw to Shawn Murphy was good, 14-16.

A solid punt by West Hancock put G-H/V on its own five.  On a third-and-eight from his own five, G-H/V quarterback Shaw was sacked for a safety, giving the Eagles the final 18-14 victory.

Shaw ended the night with 51 passing yards, completing four out of 13 passes.  His receivers were Van Gerpen, with two catches for 31 yards, and Murphy with two catches for 20 yards.

Van Gerpen led the rushing attack with 45 yards on 21 carries.  Keith Schwickerath had 20 yards on five carries and Engstler picked up 28 yards on eight attempts.

Van Gerpen led the team on defense with five solo tackles and 11 assists.  Nic Tusha had three solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles.  Braden Meints had four solo and three assisted tackles, while Colton Knutson had four solo and one assisted tackle.  Engstler had two solo and two - Read More Via e-Edition