Cardinals Lose Crossover Game to Knights

WEDNESDAY - It was a Halloween night high school football game, and everything that could have gone wrong did.

From not recovering an onside kick from Sunnyside Christian on the opening kickoff to a fumble on the one-yard line, the Waitsburg Cardinals struggled in the crossover game and lost 64-20.

The highlights were Tucker Hamilton, who recovered a Knight's fumble, followed by the Cardinals scoring two quick touchdowns.

"But then we hit a brick wall. We could not get momentum going," said coach Gabe Kiefel.  "We were finally able to string some plays together in the second half, but by then it was too little too late," he said.

On offense, JJ Gleason scored five touchdowns. He rushed for 303 yards on 24 carries, and he passed for 190 yards. Isa Reyes, Uriah York, and Martin Vasquez caught three passes each. Reyes caught one pass from Liam Kiefel for a touchdown.

Vasquez played tough defense and ended the game with 25 tackles.  Koyen Fortune had 17 tackles, Jarod Hankins 16, Tucker Hamilton 15, Victor Whitmore 12, and Gleason had 10 tackles. Gleason, Fortune, and Landen Henry each recorded a quarterback sack.

The loss earned the Cardinals the number six seed from the SE1B district. Next week, the Cards will take on the reigning NE1B state champs, Wilbur-Creston-Keller, on their home field on Friday, November 7. 

Waitsburg will go on to State if they win or their season ends with a loss.