| CARDINAL NEWS |
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SPORTS FOCUS SECTION
November 6th, 2010
| PLAYERS OF THE GAME |
| CARDINALS - 12 BULLDOGS - 20 |
| CHAMPIONSHIP CARDINALS AND BULLDOGS BATTLE ! |
The Cardinals lost their final game to the Bulldogs 20-12 today. We end this season with an overall record of 4-4. These players have come so far
so fast when you remember than one third of the team twelve weeks ago had never played football before. This game showcased the superior
talent and the hard nosed fighters who made up the Cardinals football team in 2011. Several of our players played their last game as a Cardinal
ever, and everyone of our players played their last game of the 2011 season. It is sad to see any season end but with one more opportunity to
make a memory the Cardinals took the field today. They played their hearts out for each other, for their family, for our fans, for our cheerleaders,
for our coaches and for themselves.
Offensively the Cardinals had eight different players touch the football and all of them ran hard and contributed well from their position. We had
some turnovers (one which went back for a touchdown for the Bulldogs) and some penalties which hurt badly and prevented several drives from
keeping momentum. Even with the miscues the Cardinals put together some nice runs and demonstrated real growth especially from #30 Pellew
who ran the ball very hard between the tackles. We also saw some brilliant individual runs by #10 Zubal who scored one touchdown after breaking
the tackle of nine Bulldog players. He followed that run with another touchdown in which he broke three tackles and juked their best player out of his
shoes. The Cardinals saw some outstanding blocking, lead by 3rd year Captain #84 Semon as well as #32 Pegg and Captain #90 Pesta, all from
the offensive line. Also blocking well was #70 Howe who started and played well as the Red Tight End. Also showing huge improvement in his
blocking was #40 Chavez. The blocking from everyone was outstanding and if it weren't for the miscues this game could have gone a completely
different way.
Defensively the Cardinals played outstanding overall. They were playing fast and making plays and forcing the Bulldogs to adjust to them. The
Bulldogs scored twice on offense. Once on a Hook & Lateral pass play which is extremely tough to defend; the Cardinals defense played it perfect
except that two Cardinals players accidentally tripped each other up which allowed the Bulldogs to score. The other Bulldog touchdown came on on
a play where a Cardinals player was in position and only missed the tackle by a fingertip. With those two plays out of the mix this game would have
ended differently. During one play #23 Abraham made a great tackle on a ballcarrier but he took a hard shot which left him with a strained back (he
was taken to the hospital as a precaution and I am happy to note he is home and sore but going to be fine). The Cardinals added two defensive
substitution packages prior to this game and the players did an outstanding job of adjusting and both of those packages made a difference in the
game. Fifteen different Cardinals made a tackle in the game and three of those three players had more than five tackles each. As expected, 3rd
year Captain #11 Chavez was outstanding, recording seven tackles including two for a loss. Not to be outdone 3rd year Captain #10 Zubal had six
tackles including two for a loss; and he is also our Punter who has done a great job all season and this game had a punt which netted a total of 65
yards. Our Linebackers also came up big with #35 Arena leading them with five tackles including one for a loss and #55 Smith who had one tackle
for a loss and one sack and #21 Wagner making one tackle and contributing on another. #34 Trill started his first game and played well at his
Strong Side Defensive Tackle position being a part of three tackles. The Crush & Rush Combo at Nose Tackle contributed 4 tackles for a loss and
5 tackles overall between 3rd year Captain #44 Marrone and #42 Richardson. The Cardinals first year Cornerbacks also both played very well
with #25 Kostura making one tackle and had one pass defensed, and #26 Wallace contributing two tackles and an interception. It was an
outstanding job by every member of the team and they have every right to be proud of their efforts.
So the Sports Focus Cardinals have completed another season on a really positive note. Thank you to the Parents and Families for the honor,
privilege, and the trust you have given us by allowing us to coach your child. Thank you to the Cheerleaders who have been with us all season and
kept our spirits high and wow’d us with some amazing moves. Thank you to the support staff of camera operators, editors, website managers, chain
crew dads, press box monitors, Team Mom’s and enthusiastic involved parents; without your help and support we never could have had such a
great season. Thank you to each and every Cardinal Coach, from both football and cheer; you devote countless hours of time, energy, and love
and without your help this could not be done. Thank you mostly and above all else to each and every one of the kids involved in with the Cardinal
Team for your efforts and enthusiasm and smiles and heart. We all do this for you, for the memories we all share and the growth we all are a part of
seeing. Thank You to you all and always remember: Once a Cardinal - Always a Cardinal!
so fast when you remember than one third of the team twelve weeks ago had never played football before. This game showcased the superior
talent and the hard nosed fighters who made up the Cardinals football team in 2011. Several of our players played their last game as a Cardinal
ever, and everyone of our players played their last game of the 2011 season. It is sad to see any season end but with one more opportunity to
make a memory the Cardinals took the field today. They played their hearts out for each other, for their family, for our fans, for our cheerleaders,
for our coaches and for themselves.
Offensively the Cardinals had eight different players touch the football and all of them ran hard and contributed well from their position. We had
some turnovers (one which went back for a touchdown for the Bulldogs) and some penalties which hurt badly and prevented several drives from
keeping momentum. Even with the miscues the Cardinals put together some nice runs and demonstrated real growth especially from #30 Pellew
who ran the ball very hard between the tackles. We also saw some brilliant individual runs by #10 Zubal who scored one touchdown after breaking
the tackle of nine Bulldog players. He followed that run with another touchdown in which he broke three tackles and juked their best player out of his
shoes. The Cardinals saw some outstanding blocking, lead by 3rd year Captain #84 Semon as well as #32 Pegg and Captain #90 Pesta, all from
the offensive line. Also blocking well was #70 Howe who started and played well as the Red Tight End. Also showing huge improvement in his
blocking was #40 Chavez. The blocking from everyone was outstanding and if it weren't for the miscues this game could have gone a completely
different way.
Defensively the Cardinals played outstanding overall. They were playing fast and making plays and forcing the Bulldogs to adjust to them. The
Bulldogs scored twice on offense. Once on a Hook & Lateral pass play which is extremely tough to defend; the Cardinals defense played it perfect
except that two Cardinals players accidentally tripped each other up which allowed the Bulldogs to score. The other Bulldog touchdown came on on
a play where a Cardinals player was in position and only missed the tackle by a fingertip. With those two plays out of the mix this game would have
ended differently. During one play #23 Abraham made a great tackle on a ballcarrier but he took a hard shot which left him with a strained back (he
was taken to the hospital as a precaution and I am happy to note he is home and sore but going to be fine). The Cardinals added two defensive
substitution packages prior to this game and the players did an outstanding job of adjusting and both of those packages made a difference in the
game. Fifteen different Cardinals made a tackle in the game and three of those three players had more than five tackles each. As expected, 3rd
year Captain #11 Chavez was outstanding, recording seven tackles including two for a loss. Not to be outdone 3rd year Captain #10 Zubal had six
tackles including two for a loss; and he is also our Punter who has done a great job all season and this game had a punt which netted a total of 65
yards. Our Linebackers also came up big with #35 Arena leading them with five tackles including one for a loss and #55 Smith who had one tackle
for a loss and one sack and #21 Wagner making one tackle and contributing on another. #34 Trill started his first game and played well at his
Strong Side Defensive Tackle position being a part of three tackles. The Crush & Rush Combo at Nose Tackle contributed 4 tackles for a loss and
5 tackles overall between 3rd year Captain #44 Marrone and #42 Richardson. The Cardinals first year Cornerbacks also both played very well
with #25 Kostura making one tackle and had one pass defensed, and #26 Wallace contributing two tackles and an interception. It was an
outstanding job by every member of the team and they have every right to be proud of their efforts.
So the Sports Focus Cardinals have completed another season on a really positive note. Thank you to the Parents and Families for the honor,
privilege, and the trust you have given us by allowing us to coach your child. Thank you to the Cheerleaders who have been with us all season and
kept our spirits high and wow’d us with some amazing moves. Thank you to the support staff of camera operators, editors, website managers, chain
crew dads, press box monitors, Team Mom’s and enthusiastic involved parents; without your help and support we never could have had such a
great season. Thank you to each and every Cardinal Coach, from both football and cheer; you devote countless hours of time, energy, and love
and without your help this could not be done. Thank you mostly and above all else to each and every one of the kids involved in with the Cardinal
Team for your efforts and enthusiasm and smiles and heart. We all do this for you, for the memories we all share and the growth we all are a part of
seeing. Thank You to you all and always remember: Once a Cardinal - Always a Cardinal!
