On Nov. 8, the Cardinals traveled two hours to Eureka to take on the Tornadoes. The temperatures dropped into the low 30s, and the Cardinals had a battle to fight in the bitter cold. 

“We knew we had to focus on this game,” junior and linebacker Heath Hilger said. “They weren’t the same as last year; we knew had to go out and take care of business.” 

The Cardinals played hard and the game started strong as they scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and began to pull ahead, ending the game with a win 40-7. 

“At first I was a little worried, but after we scored those first two touchdowns, I knew we had it,” senior and fullback Peyton Winter said.

The Cardinals still have a ways to go for the State title and will take on the Norton Bluejays this Friday at 6 p.m. in Norton. The Cardinals will travel four hours to play. 

“[To get ready] we are going to practice all week, watching films and listening to what the coaches have to say about the team and just trying to get better at what we do,” senior and quarterback Collin Koester said.