Cardinal, Van Buren get fresh start in Keosauqua

Van Buren hasn?t won a football game for 364 days.

On that date, the Warriors didn?t hold anything back in the 2008 season opener and blasted Cardinal with a 54-0 trouncing. Friday, Cardinal will be back in town and may be looking for a little revenge.

Warrior utility player Dennis Halverson did a majority of the trouncing with 321 total yards and four touchdowns, but the Warriors have lost Halverson to graduation ? a welcome sight for Comet fans ? and now turn to Kelby McClaran to take the load for the run-oriented offense.

As Van Buren lost talent, Cardinal returns many of its starters including junior quarterback Brandon Warren who enters his second season under center. Warren was forced to pass 25 times in last season?s match-up ? completing just nine ? but this year, head coach Darren Hill hopes running back Jake Scherer will get plenty of touches. Scherer led the Comets with 491 yards rushing in 2008 and will be helped out by the rushing efforts of Warren and fullback Joel Ramos.

Both Cardinal and Van Buren are coming off 1-8 seasons and looking for fresh starts to the program. Hill and Warrior head coach Randy Cochran are both in their first year leading their respective teams.

Friday?s kick off is slated for 7 p.m.