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LA GRANGE – The Columbus Cardinals got their second win in a row after a big offensive performance against the Leopards. It seems the offense will be a major factor to the Cards success after increasing their total from last week. The Cards racked up more than 450 yards as they ran out to a big blowout win by a 63-28 margin.
Columbus got out to an early lead with 21 points in the first quarter while holding the Leopards to just seven in the same period. The Cardinal defense laxed somewhat in the second quarter as they allowed La Grange to score two touchdowns in the quarter. However, the Cards still went into halftime with a 36-21 lead. They increased their score by 20 points in the next quarter while allowing La Grange to score their final touchdown of the day. Columbus reached their final score in the fourth to put an exclamation point on their hot scoring day.
The Cards were led on offense by an unstoppable performance by Ty’Vone Whitehead. The running back rushed for 216 yards and six touchdowns in a dominant effort on the ground. His performance was punctuated by a 42yard tote to the endzone as he had his second straight multi-touchdown outing.
The player handing the ball off to Whitehead had a strong day against the Leopards as well as Adam Schobel distributed the ball around to his receivers for 213 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He also added 29 yards on the ground including a 14-yard scramble.
Cristian Reyna was Schobel’s top target as Reyna pulled down a team-leading five catches for 53 yards. Braylon Fisher had the most reception yards as he took down one catch for 60 yards in a huge play. Jackson Hancock was responsible for the Cards’ air touchdowns. as he provided Schobel’s two touchdowns as well as 45 yards through the air. Camdon Pitchford averaged over 10 yards per catch with three catches in the game.
The Cards also had a strong performance in special teams as well, highlighted by a big kickoff return by Hancock. His second return of the day was nearly the full length of the field as he brought the ball back 93 yards for a touchdown after the kick.
Despite allowing their highest total of points to an opponent since a loss to Hitchcock last season, the Cards still brought the intensity on defense. Hudson Hauerland snatched two interceptions from the opposing quarterback. The defense also created five tackles for loss including a sack that helped slow down La Grange’s pass-happy offense.
The win brings Columbus’ record to 2-0 as they move on to face off against the Rice Raiders who are coming off of their own win streak.
