Cardinals Handle White Swan in Home Opener

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg-Prescott football team ran over White Swan Friday night in their home opener, defeating the Cougars 42-18. The game featured a new look for the Cardinal offense, with Jacob Dunn starting at quarterback and last year's starter, Owen Lanning, moving to slot back.

Lanning had four catches for 78 yards. He scored two touchdowns, including one on his only rush from scrimmage on the game. "He became an instant success in space and has that speed we need," WP Coach Jeff Bartlow said of Lanning.

The results from the QB switch, along with repositioned receivers, weren't all positive however. The Cardinals turned the ball over six times in the first half - on three fumbles and three pass interceptions. "(The QB switch) caused us some problems in scheme and penalties and it showed in the first half," Bartlow said. "We just had to get the kinks out a little."

Other than his three interceptions, Dunn had an outstanding game. He completed 11 of 22 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 26 yards. "I felt he came back and we believe we are heading in the right direction," Bartlow added.

Luke Alexenko was the Cardinals' top receiver, with 81 yards on 3 receptions and one touchdown. Inside linebackers Danny Stansell and Mike Grant led the defense with 17 and 15 tackles respectively.

Outside linebacker Chance Leroue celebrated his 18th birthday with a stellar performance on defense. He scored both of the Cardinals' second quarter touchdowns: one on a 26-yard return of a blocked punt, and the second on a 27-yard interception return. On offense, Lerue rushed eight times for 65 yards. "His 18th birthday will be remembered for what he did on the field," said Bartlow.

The game started out on a sour note for WP as the Cougars executed a 70-yard halfback pass on the first play of the game. Cornerback Luke Alexenko made a touchdown-saving tackle at the six yard line. The Cardinal defense then stepped up, stopping White Swan on downs, with Alexenko picking off a pass on fourth down. "It was a huge defensive stand and set the tone defensively all night," Bartlow said.

The Cougars scored first, however, on a 27-yard pass, after recovering a WP fumble on the next drive. The teams then swapped defensive touchdowns in the second quarter. Leroue's return of the blocked punt was followed by a WP fumble in their own end zone, which a White Swan player recovered for the second Cougar score. Leroue followed that with his interception return.

White Swan was still in the game at halftime, trailing WP 21-12. But the Cardinals ran away with it in the third quarter, outscoring the Cougars 21-6.

On Friday, the 2-0 Cardinals will host Orofino, Ida. (2-1) at 7 p.m. "They beat us in Orofino last year 59- 20," said Bartlow. "It was ugly. We want to erase any memory of that game with a performance this year we can be proud of."