Cardinal rolls past Van Buren

ELDON - The Cardinal Comets are 2-0 after winning their second-straight game over a Union area team on Friday. The Comets built a huge lead in the firs thalf and skated to a 42-8 win.

Cardinal led 29-0 after the first quarter, thanks in part to a dominant defensive outing that resulted in two fumble recovery touchdowns. After Cardinal was already up 8-0, Blaine Bryant scooped up a fumble and took it 13 yards back to the end zone. On the next Warrior drive, Jarrett Greiner had his own scoop and score, a 34-yard return. In all, Cardinal scored four touchdowns in the first half.

The Comets scored two times in the second quarter, both on long pass plays. The game was played with a running clock for the entire second half.

Van Buren coach Brian Johnson says he felt the lack of a scrimmage before Week 1 hurt, but that he saw a few positives out of his Warriors.

'We did a good job moving the ball at times and getting into the red zone, but shot ourselves in the foot every time,” Johnson said.

Quarterback Maddux Jones had a great day for Cardinal, going 9-10 for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Gabe Reyes had 82 yards and a touchdown running the ball. Grriffin Greiner had 96 yards receiving and one touchdown, and Landon Becker had 53 yards receiving and two scores.

Cardinal ended up with five takeaways on the day. Jarrett had two fumble recoveries. Blaine Bryand and Beau LaRue had a fumble recovery each; Peyton Johnson had an interception, as did Griffin.

Cardinal (2-0) will play at Wayne County next week. Van Buren will hit the road to take on Louisa-Muscatine.