Remaining football games ‘winnable’

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

The focus of the Cardinal football team is to erase the sting of a pair of blow out losses from recent weeks with a pair of victories to close out the 2014 season. They have remaining games against Pickford (2-5) and Fife Lake Forest Area (1-6).

 

CODY WHITSITT (58) and Cody Morell (12) had the St. Mary quarterback on the run during the last home game. The Cardinal defense wants to create more havoc when they host Pickford in the last home game of the season tonight at Cardinal Stadium at 7 p.m. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

Friday’s 7 p.m. game against Pickford is the last home game of the season and there will be a noticeable difference as head coach Jim Cleaver is trying to jump start an offense that has scored one touchdown in three weeks. The touchdown was an important one, as it beat Gaylord St. Mary, but expect to see Cortez Washington at quarterback and Cody Morell at tight end.

Injuries are starting to take a toll too, as an already thin roster has gotten thinner and reduced to 13 at times. That’s how many Cleaver took to St. Ignace. It’s a good reason why athletic director Marty Mix told the school board Tuesday night that he is considering the eight-man option to keep the program going.

Last Friday, Onaway was tagged with a 56-0 loss at the hands of top ranked St. Ignace, who is ranked fourth in Division 8 with a 7-0 record.

“I am proud of the kids because they did not quit, they played hard the whole night,” said Cleaver. “That’s a good team and we could not get anything going. The boys shut them down a couple of times on defense, but we could not get anything going on offense.”

Washington had 119 all-purpose yards, while Bradley Brewbaker had 90. On defense, Cody Whitsitt had a sack and a fumble recovery along with five tackles. Washingotn led the Cardinal defense with eight tackles.

The Saints had double-digit rushing totals from six backs, but no 100-yard rushers. However, Cole Thompson caught seven passes for 150 yards, including four touchdowns for the Saints.

Cleaver s

aid the players have been working hard in practice and he believes they are going to win the final games.

“They are very winnable games,” he added.

Statistics:

Rushing: Bradley Brewbaker 12/46; Cody Whitsitt 11/22; Jonathan Bay 1/9; Dalton Adkins 3/8; Cortez Washington 4/7.

Passing: Washington 1-for-6/6.

Receiving: Morell 1/6.

Defense: Washington 8 tackles; Brewbaker 6; Morell 5; Whitsitt 5; Troy Klein 2; Adkins 2; Jonathan Bay 2; Garrett Roat 2; Derick Wregglesworth 1; Paul Ransom 1.