The Prescott Cardinals defeated the Durand-Arkansaw Panthers by a score of 41-12 Friday night in Durand.

The Cardinals offense picked up right where they left off putting up seven points early in the first quarter. After moving quickly down field, Prescott Quarterback Theodore Bernick used his legs to run one in to make it 7-0.

A broken play by Durand on the following drive ended with a poor pass lofted over the middle into coverage which allowed Barrett Temmers to make it two straight games with an interception. Temmers ran it back 40 yards leaving the ball inside the Panthers’ 20-yard line.

A 13-yard catch and run by Wide Receiver Kobe Russel set up 1^st and goal from the 4-yard line, but the Cardinals’ offense stalled, leaving them at 4^th down and goal from the 3-yard line. Prescott stayed aggressive though, putting the ball in the capable hands (or feet rather) of Bernick. He did not disappoint, taking it in for his second rushing touchdown bringing the score to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Prescott defense kept putting pressure on Durand keeping them off balance. Ultimately, after yet another broken play, the Panthers lofted up another dangerous pass in desperation. However, this time they connected, and it was off to the races as their wideout broke away from the pack and ran headlong down field.

That’s when Defensive Back Cole Platson did his best D.K. Metcalf impression showing off his wheels while running him down after 64 yards and tackling him short of the endzone. This tackle turned what should easily have been a touchdown into another impressive defensive stand by the Prescott defense. Nonplussed by the huge gain or their field position, the Cardinals created negative yards on two of the three following plays and forced a turnover on downs as Durand went for it on 4^th and 19.

The offense wasted no time. After some strong runs by Russell, Bernick connected on a deep shot down the middle to Wide Receiver Nolan Thomley who made a nice adjustment to make the catch and broke away for a 79-yard touchdown, increasing Prescott’s lead to 21-0.

The defense stayed strong, forcing Durand to punt from their own 25.

A strong run by Temmers, and a 28-yard catch by Russell had the Cardinals back knocking on the Panthers door with only 1:45 off the clock since their last touchdown. Bernick went right back to the well flipping the ball outside to Russell who used his blockers effectively and ran it in for another touchdown making it 27-0 after a blocked extra point.

The Prescott defense kept their foot on the gas getting three consecutive tackles for a loss on Durand’s next drive, forcing yet another punt and leaving the score at 27-0 at the half.

The Cardinals got the ball first in the second half, and Bernick and Russell wasted no time connecting on an absolute dime into coverage with Bernick dropping it perfectly in the bucket. Russell ran a perfect route and made the catch, but the Cardinals’ offense couldn’t convert and turned the ball over on downs.

The defense picked them up though, immediately forcing a 3 and out by Durand.

With the clock ticking down in the 3^rd, Prescott leaned on the run game getting some strong production from Lono Thomason, Russell, Temmers and, of course, Bernick. However, as Bernick threw a short pass over the middle, the ball got tipped up and fell into the Panthers’ hands who ran it back for a touchdown. The Prescott defense stopped a 2-point conversion attempt leaving the score at 27-6 at the end of the third quarter.

Prescott kept pounding the run game with Temmers getting some chunk gains, Bernick putting up 41 yards on two carries and Thomason running one in from the 5-yard line to make the score 34-6.

The Cardinals’ defense came back onto the field and forced another 3 and out.

Less than a minute later, Bernick connected with Russell on a quick slant who used some impressive footwork to shake the defender and take it 53 yards for his second touchdown of the night bringing the score to 41-6.

After forcing Durand to punt again, this time leaving the ball deep in Prescott territory, the Cardinals found themselves pinned on their own goal line with 5:00 to go in the fourth quarter. A bad snap caused a fumble, and the Panthers recovered it for a touchdown bringing the final score to 41-12.

The Cardinals’ defense has now allowed only a single score through two games this season. They continue to keep opposing offenses under duress throughout games and allow their own offense to completely dominate time of possession.

Individual standout offensive performances include Bernick who put up MVP numbers with 316 yards passing, three passing touchdowns, 96 yards rushing, two rushing touchdowns and a 138.5 passer rating. Also on this list is Russell who ended his night with six catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Even though Russell didn’t get the ball much last week, he says it helped make him more comfortable out there.

“Our team prepped really well for the year,” Russell said. "I just did my job tonight. I did my job last time too, but I just trust the line and trust the quarterback. We’re going to keep doing our jobs.”

Bernick, a second-year quarterback as a junior, looked poised and comfortable all game making good throws and good decisions, even under pressure when the pocket was collapsing.

“We just had lots of time back there from the linemen, and I’ve got really good receivers to throw the ball to,” Bernick said.

Bernick was also the Cardinals’ leading rusher, consistently picking up yards on the ground all night.

“They’re like read option plays,” Bernick said. “I read the outside, and if it crashes down, I tuck the ball under and run.”

Cardinals head coach Jordan Hansen knows exactly what he has in Bernick’s playmaking ability.

“He kind of got thrown into the fire last year, so I think what you’re seeing is a year of experience and a kid that really loves and studies the game,” Hansen said. “He went out for track so he could be faster, and we do have designed runs for him, but most of them are going to be reads. If nothing’s there in the throwing game, he’s still able to get us some yards scrambling.”

As successful as they’ve been, Hansen says they still need to keep working on cleaning some things up.

“We’ve got to punch the ball in inside the 10,” Hansen said. “We can’t do that, we can’t leave those out there in the Middle Border where every team is tough.”

The Cardinals edged out Oshkosh West as the Week 1 Wisconsin Sports Network Football Team of the Week with 2,215 votes.

Next week, the Cardinals head to Osceola to play the Chieftains. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.