Cardinal drops district game to Durant

ELDON - The Cardinal football team could never get the game back to one possession after falling down three posessions in the first half against Durant. The Comets attempted to come back from a 19-point halftime deficit, but came up two scores short, falling 33-21.

Cardinal, who is still reeling from an injury to star running back Gabe Reyes, was unable to score in the first half. Durant held a 19-0 lead at the break.

The Comets broke out with a 23-yard touchdown run by Peyton Johnson in the third quarter. After another Durant score, Griffin Greiner returned the kickoff all the way back for a touchdown to cut the lead to 26-33.

Durant scored again in the fourth quarter. Maddux Jones responded by throwing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Blaine Bryant, and then running in the two-point conversion himself. The Comets eventually ran out of time, however, and had to settle for a 12-point loss.

Jones finished the game 9-16 for 86 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran the ball for 84 yards.

Johnson ended the night with 32 yards and a touchdown running the ball. Jarrett Rea had two catches for 34 yards, and Bryant had three catches for 28 yards and a score.

Cardinal is now 2-4 overall and 0-2 in district play. They'll look to snap a two-game losing streak this week when they host Belle Plaine.