The Pacelli Cardinals demolished the Wild Rose Wildcats thoughts of a successful homecoming, downing the hosts 42-6 on Oct. 16.
Right from the start the Cardinals took advantage of two Wildcat turnovers to come up with a 14-0 advantage behind the running of Brycen Cashin with 4:34 remaining in the opening period.
Wild Rose couldn’t do much of anything with a third possession on the night which felt icy with a drop in temperature after a mixture of rain and snow fell before game time. It didn’t take Pacelli long to put up another score as Cashin ran 41 yards to the end zone for a 21-0 spread with 1:49.
Brett Mueller returned the following Pacelli kick 25 yards, but that would be about all the positive yardage Wild Rose would get in what remained of the period. A sack kept the hosts from getting any further.
Pacelli got in a big run before the quarter ended.
It took the visitors a little time to score as the second quarter got underway. A five-yard gain was accomplished, but it Cashin who took the ball 26 yards on 4th and 11 to create a 28-0 spread with the PAT with 10:34 showing on the clock.
Kane Cronkrite returned the ensuing kick to the midfield area, but Wild Rose would soon lose possession by way of an interception.
Starting at the Wildcat 35 the Cardinals took advantage of a short field. Cashin picked up 12 yards on a carry, and was followed by a pass completion to Weston Peplinski who was downed at the two. Cashin had a short carry after that to score, making the spread 35-0 with 8:13 remaining in the half.
It looked like Wild Rose’s woes were continuing with a second possession of the second quarter, except for when on 4th and 20, Ethan Tratz ran a fake to pick up a first down at the 49. Colton Martin picked up another first down with a big run. Sam Walters picked up five yards on a run which still found the hosts at the 4th and two. Martin was called upon again, but couldn’t quite pick up the first.
Pacelli started its next possession on its own 36. The visitors picked up a couple first down on big runs by Cashin, and found themselves knocking on the door again. The Cardinals were denied the end zone before halftime, but still had a big advantage over the Wildcats.
A modified Homecoming halftime saw a brief performance by the high school pep bands drum line. Hall decoration winners and the court members were announced with Dalene Sherburn named as Queen and Sam Walters, King.
The visitors continued their dominating ways in the second half of play, beginning with their first possession. Cashton started off with a good run and was followed by a huge run to the hosts’ 23 by Nicholas Schroeder. Cashin took the Cardinals nearly the rest of the way, but was stopped a bit short. Schroeder was able to take the ball into the end zone for a 42-0 crushing blow with 7:37 showing on the clock in the third quarter.
Tratz got Wild Rose started off in fine fashion with the Wildcats’ first possession of the half as he took a reverse to the 45. Unfortunately, that was the only highlight of the possession.
A continuous clock kept the game moving, but Pacelli kept picking up big yardage behind Cashin. A fumble recovery by Wild Rose on its’ own 20 prevented another score by the Cardinals in the third quarter.
Brett Wilbert completed a pass to Cavan Williams to run out the clock in the third as Wild Rose needed to move the ball.
Sacks kept the hosts from advancing the ball as the fourth quarter started.
The Wildcats soon got the ball back after stopping the Cardinals on their first possession of the fourth.
Wild Rose was so determined to not be shut out, and began to move ball well with its only full possession of the period. Passes were completed to Williams and Jonathon King to inspire the Wildcats. Mason Beder put in a good run before a pass was completed to Mueller to reach the Pacelli five yard line. It took a few plays before Beder found play dirt from the two. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Wildcats were on the board, 42-6, with 1:18 remaining in the game.
Pacelli returned the ensuing kick to the 40. After a Wild Rose time out, the visitors took a knee to run out the clock to seal their 42-6 crushing of the Wildcats.
