Cardinal Football wins first game of the season

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg Cardinals started the season with a significant win over the Touchet Redhawks on September 2 in Waitsburg. The Redhawks initially received the ball but were stopped, four and out, by the Cardinals.

During Waitsburg’s first drive, they started with a run game, with running back Koyen Fortune ran the ball for three carries for four yards. The Cardinals achieved the first down with a pass from sophomore Isa Reyes to junior receiver Lucas VanHoose for a 14-yard gain. The Cardinals followed with a pass from Reyes to senior slotback Cyson Morris for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Reyes’s failed conversion up the middle left the score 6-0.

On the next drive, Touchet made their way down the field, led by their quarterback, to score a touchdown on a run up the middle with no conversion to tie the game 6-6. On Waitsburg’s next possession, they marched down the field with runs by Fortune, Morris, and Brenton Segraves. Capping the drive was a 26-yard reception from Reyes to VanHoose, followed by a two-point conversion by Fortune.

Neither team scored again in the first quarter.

On the first play of the second quarter, the Touchet quarterback connected with their #10 receiver, followed by a 2-point conversion. After this, the Cardinal defense came alive. Jayce Gleason, a Waitsburg defensive lineman, caught a lucky bounce and ran back the fumble recovery for a 36-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Reyes to Morris. Waitsburg got the ball back after the kick and scored another touchdown on a seven-yard carry from Morris, with no success on the conversion. In all, Waitsburg tallied 30 more points in the second quarter for a 42-12 halftime score.

The third quarter was dominated by both teams’ defense with no change in score until the fourth quarter. Touchet was able to break into the endzone for their third and final touchdown with no conversion. Waitsburg’s VanHoose picked the ball off on the Waitsburg goal line and ran it back 96 yards for another touchdown capped by a two-point conversion by Reyes. This was the final score of the night, leading to a 50 – 20 victory for the Cardinals.

“Our players showed up tonight, and the ball bounced our way for a few very exciting plays. However, it wasn’t all luck. I saw our leaders step up on the field and take charge,” said Coach Gabe Kiefel.

He added, “We owned the line of scrimmage, especially our defensive line, who attacked the ball well. I lovingly call our four d-linemen the four horsemen because they wreak havoc as they storm in. This tetrad is composed of senior Reuben Yutzy, #71, senior Blake French, #17, senior Jayce Gleason, #50, and sophomore Jared Hankins, #33.”

Cyson Morris did a great job on both sides of the ball, and his leadership is paramount to the team, according to Kiefel.

Lucas VanHoose had a standout performance with multiple touchdown receptions on offense and a couple of interceptions on defense. Isa Reyes led the offense very well. He was cool under pressure, threw the ball well, and ran the ball with skill. Kiefel said he was impressed with this young man’s presence on the field.

“My hat is off to our coaching staff. This is a new game that we’re learning to coach, and they have all been top-notch,” said Kiefel.

He said Dane Kiefel, Defensive (DC) and Special Teams Coordinator, called the defense and adjusted effectively throughout the game. Greg Crenshaw led the line well, and it was and will continue to be a strength for the team. Coaches Matt Hamilton, Chris Andrews, Gavin Waggoner, and Jared Wheat all contributed meaningfully to the team’s first win.