By Theodore Tollefson

PRESCOTT – The Prescott Cardinals football team opened its season at home Friday, Aug. 20 by defeating the Spooner Rails 33-0.

Pre-season anticipation The Cardinals kept busy this preseason, hosting other schools across the region at a training camp in early July. The team also played multiple scrimmages the last two weeks that helped the team feel better prepared, Head Coach Jordan Hansen shared.

“It's been a fun offseason. It feels like we're way ahead of the game this year than we were last year, which is a little bit different. So there's definitely some buzz around. Hopefully we get back to a packed stadium. We're getting as many people as we can on Friday. You know, our kids are excited, our coaches are excited to see what we can do,” said Hansen.

Cardinals quarterback and Prescott High School senior Grant Stanton shared his excitement for the upcoming season.

“It's going to be more to our advantage this year being able to have all the fans,” Stanton said. “So it'll be better. Well, it's just like having a fully packed stadium compared to last year is going to have a great energy. Play to our advantage.”

Cardinals running back Aiden Russell also believes having fans back in the stands this year is beneficial.

“Probably seeing more fans get more hype. More adrenaline. I’m just happy to be playing with all my boys,” Russell said.

The game

In the first quarter Friday night, Stanton scored the first touchdown of the game on a twoyard run from the Rails’ second yard line. Cardinals’ kicker Ayden Veranth completed the extra point to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead with 9:28 remaining in the quarter.

The next touchdown came from Russell from the goal line into the endzone. Veranth once again completed the extra point, giving the Cardinals a 14-0 lead with 1:09 remaining in the first quarter.

Russell scored his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter from the Rails’ 15yard line. Veranth completed his third extra point of the game, making it a 21-0 lead with 6:05 left in the first half.

The Cardinals did not score again until Russell completed an eight-yard run in the third quarter. Veranth did not complete the extra point after Russell’s touchdown, leaving the score at 27-0 Cardinals with 7:28 left in the third quarter.

The Rails’ most exciting play of the game came with an interception made by defensive end Kalvin Field from a Stanton pass with only 15 seconds left in the third quarter. However, they never cashed in on their chance.

The Cardinals’ final touchdown came once again from Russell, who ran it 15 yards into the endzone for a final score of 33-0, giving the Cardinals a shutout to begin the season.

Russell, a man of few words in interviews, let his playing do the talking for the season opener as he scored four of the Cardinals’ five touchdowns in their victory over the Spooner Rails.

The final score of 33-0 showcased a strong performance for the Cardinals’ defense, along with a great handoff and passing game from quarterback Stanton.

The Cardinals play their next game against Durand High School on the road at 7 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 27.

Photo by Theodore Tollefson

Photo by Theodore Tollefson

Prescott Cardinals quarterback Grant Stanton setting up an offensive blitz on Friday, Aug. 20 against the Spooner Rails.