Cards aiming for playoffs after up-and-down 2022

The opening schedule for the fall of 2022 didn't leave the Carrington Cardinal football team a lot of wiggle room.

Three of their first four games in 11B - Region 2 came against eventual playoff teams, and all four ended in losses.

An exciting back-and-forth win in Grafton got them on the board, and they then won three straight contests to give them a chance for a win-and-in game with Langdon/Edmore/Munich on the last game of the season for a playoff spot.

One 42-0 loss later, and the Cards' season came to a crashing end with a 3-5 record.

This year's team for Head Coach Kyle Smith has a good amount of offensive and defensive power players with past experience, but their program numbers have dwindled to just 25 kids this fall.

However, Smith is confident that the returners can make them competitive in each and every game, provided the team stays healthy.

"We return many competitive and hard-working kids this season," said the eighth-year coach. "Many of our upper-classmen got a lot of playing time last year, and we should have better team speed."

The overriding factor Smith said the team needs to improve is in the realm of overall consistency.

"At times, we were pretty good last year, but we also gave up big plays by turning the ball over or missing a tackle or assignment here or there," said Smith.

Physicality and focus will be important, said the coach, while limiting turnovers to a minimum. On defense, keeping teams in front of them and preventing big plays and quick strikes are the biggest issue.

This year's Cards

The offense runs through junior quarterback Josh Bickett (6'1", 165). Bickett threw for 534 yards last season and five touchdowns, and also was a threat on the run with 4.1 yards per attempt. In the secondary, he made 23 tackles and snared three interceptions.

In the backfield, senior Logan Weninger (5'10", 175) is able to turn short gainers into big ones with his speed. Weninger rushed for 440 yards with three scores (5.8 yards per carry) and made 42 tackles, 28 solo.

Corbin Clifton (5'9", 160), a junior, is the other option at running back, but his biggest contribution is on defense. As the top returning tackler (49 stops, 25 solo) with an interception, Clifton leads a seasoned linebacking corps which also includes senior Jake Otto (5'11", 190, 41 tackles).

Bickett's main target in the receiving game is senior Grady Shipman (6'0", 165), as he recorded 13.7 yards per catch in 2022. Shipman also has past experience at quarterback if needed, and should also be busy in the secondary when opposing teams want to throw deep. He had two interceptions last season.

Junior Ryder Bickett (6'3", 185) developed into one of the region's top young pass rushers at defensive end, recording 29 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks. His tall frame will also make him valuable to his cousin in the passing game at tight end. Along with Ryder, Kanin Zieman (6'3", 190), another junior, adds height, length and size at the two positions.

The offensive and defensive lines are anchored by three-year starter and senior Brock Jungels (5'11", 215) at center. Alongside him should be Otto, senior Carson Ova (5'7", 185, 21 tackles), senior Maverick Zink (6'2", 260) and junior Dylan Bachmeier (6'0", 240).

The Cards will have a decent group of underclassmen as well. All expected to contribute on JV include sophomore quarterback/linebacker Tate Wolsky (6'0", 165), sophomore running back/linebacker McKade Zink (5'10", 165), sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Maddox McIlonie (6'0", 150), and sophomore linemen Jacob Hinrichs (5'10", 180) and Korbyn Zieman (5'6", 210), as well as Cody Otto (6'1", 185) at line and defensive end.

Two seniors hope to provide maturity and leadership, those being WR/DB's Jaxon Schaefer and Aaron Neumiller. The remainder of the roster includes junior Grady Idland, and freshmen Andrew Matt, Alec Threadgold, Charles Jorgenson, Jake Bredahl and Gabe Clifton.

Smith is assisted again this year by Greg Hoeckle, Matt Hone, Bob Young, Todd Bickett and Chad Bickett.

What to expect

In Region 2 this year, there is one change in membership, as Hillsboro/Central Valley has been moved to Region 1. Taking HCV's place will be the Cavalier Tornadoes, promoted to 11-man football from 9B and the state Dakota Bowl runners-up in that division for four years running.

Smith figures Langdon/Edmore/Munich as the consensus team to beat, but also says that much of the region could see some parity as many league squads were fairly junior-heavy last season.

"After Langdon, Thompson should be pretty good, and Cavalier always fields competitive teams," said Smith. "I would say HWC has a chance to be better, maybe Park River too, and Grafton should be much improved from last year."

If the Cards are to insert themselves into the conversation, a win or two against one or more of those contending teams could go a long way, said the coach.

This season, CHS has a ninth opponent for their non-region game, after opting for a bye week last year. On September 22, the team travels to Lisbon to take on the Broncos.

Here is the full schedule for the Cardinal football team. All regular season games start at 7 p.m. at their respective locations.

Aug. 18 Bottineau

Aug. 25 @ Rugby

Sept. 1 Cavalier

Sept. 8 @ Thompson

Sept. 15 Grafton

(Homecoming)

Sept. 22 @ Lisbon

Sept. 29 @ HWC

Oct. 6 @ Park River Area

Oct. 12 (Thur.) L/E/M

Oct. 21 Playoffs, Rd. 1

Oct. 28 Playoffs, Quarter

Nov. 4 Playoffs, Semi

Nov. 10 Dakota Bowl

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