The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Cards defeat TMCHS Braves to maintain chase for postseason berth -
CHS Coach Kyle Smith ponders the next course of action on the field with quarterback Josh Bickett during a stoppage in play recently. Bickett threw for 170 yards on 10-for-15 passing against Turtle Mountain, with four touchdowns.
Two devastating Class A – Region 2 losses by three total points didn't afford the Carrington Cardinal football team a wealth of time to feel sorry for their predicament.
The bus ride up Highway 281 stopped in Belcourt for a matchup with former Class AA league opponent Turtle Mountain, and the Cards hoped the newly-installed turf would allow their team speed to take over.
CHS got back into the playoff conversation with a 42-16 win over the Braves, on another big offensive performance netting just shy of 400 total yards.
The Cardinal offense netted exactly 199 yards in both the ground and passing games to improve to 4-2 and 2-2 in Region 2.
"We're capable of being very explosive, but we've had a tendency to look around waiting for someone else to make a big play," Head Coach Kyle Smith said. "Friday night, everyone took it upon themselves to do it, and it turned into a great team effort."
Cardinal quarterback Josh Bickett had four touchdown passes in the game, going 10-for-15 for 170 yards. He had two long plays for scores in just the first quarter, tossing a 41-yarder to Ryder Bickett and another for 49 yards to Peyton Harrington.
Later in the half, he connected with Corbin Clifton on an 11-yard score, and Ryder Bickett from 10 yards out in the third quarter.
Running game statistics were almost evenly distributed between Clifton, Josh Bickett and Harrington, with 59 yards, 56 and 55 for the trio.
Harrington accounted for 16 CHS points, as he had a 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and was 4-for-5 on extra point kicks.
Turtle Mountain (1-5 overall, 0-4 Region 2) got on the board in both the second and fourth quarters. Benjamin Dubois caught a 64-yard touchdown from Cruz LaFontaine, and Karl Davis had a 13-yard run.
Clifton and Tate Wolsky were co-leading tacklers with five solo and five assist stops each, and Josh Bickett was a ball hawk with two interceptions.
"Multiple kids made plays on offense, defense and special teams," Smith said. "That's the kind of tenacity we need."
This past Friday, the Cardinals traveled to Langdon for a matchup against the top team in Region 2, Langdon Area/Munich.
LA/M is 4-0 in regional action, with their only loss of the season coming against Central Cass in week two. They also made a big comeback to edge HWC earlier this year, 43-42.
The final regular season home game for CHS is this upcoming Friday night, when the Rugby Panthers come to Cardinal Stadium for a 7 p.m. Senior Night kickoff.
The Panthers and Cardinals are among four 2-2 teams fighting for two playoff spots, meaning the last three weeks of the season should be fraught with tension indeed.
Class A - Region 2 Football
Carrington 42,
Turtle Mountain 16
Cgtn. 20 15 7 0 42
TMCHS 0 8 0 8 16
First Quarter
Carrington: Ryder Bickett 41 yard pass from Josh Bickett (Peyton Harrington kick)
Carrington: Harrington 49 yard pass from J. Bickett (Harrington kick)
Second Quarter
Carrington: Corbin Clifton 5 yard run (kick failed)
Carrington: Harrington 25 yard run (Grady Idland pass from J. Bickett)
TMCHS: Benjamin Dubois 64 yard touchdown pass from Cruz LaFontaine (Karl Davis run)
Carrington: C. Clifton 11 yard pass from J. Bickett (Harrington kick)
Third Quarter
Carrington: R. Bickett 10 yard pass from J. Bickett (Harrington kick)
Fourth Quarter
TMCHS: Davis 13 yard run (Tyler Morin run)
Carrington Statistics
Offense
Passing: J. Bickett 10-15-170 yards-4 TD; Chase Ova 1-1-29
Rushing: C. Clifton 5-59-TD; J. Bickett 7-56; Harrington 7-55-TD; Jacob Boeshans 3-17; McKade Zink 1-10; Ova 3-6; Tate Wolsky 3-(-1); Brayden Odstrcil 2-(-3)
Receiving: R. Bickett 3-71-2 TD; Harrington 2-66-TD; Boeshans 1-29; Idland 2-17; C. Clifton 1-11-TD; Wolsky 1-5
Defense
Tackles (unassisted/assisted): C. Clifton (5-5); Wolsky (5-5); Alec Threadgold (5-3); Cody Otto (3-2); Dylan Bachmeier (3-1); Hayden Hagel (3-2); J. Bickett (2-0); Harrington (2-2); Gabe Clifton (2-2); Maddox McIlonie (2-0); Drew Matt (2-0); Idland (0-2); Jacob Hinrichs (0-1); Ewan Aberle (0-1)
Interceptions: J. Bickett 2
Tackles for Loss: Wolsky 2, C. Clifton, Harrington, Threadgold
