Cardinal always seemed to play its best football at home and that didn’t change on Friday as the Huskies topped visiting Richmond Heights, 34-14.
With the win, Cardinal improved to 4-5 overall and defended its home turf with a perfect 4-0 mark this season.
“This is a major achievement this year but the year’s not over,” said senior two-way lineman Austin Klatik. “We still have a game to play and that's what we're going to focus on, then after that we will (feel) great about our season.”
Klatik was one of eight seniors who played their final game at Richard A. Moss Stadium.
“It feels great to have gone out there and got the win for the team, the fans, and especially the seniors,” said sophomore quarterback Matt Carney. “We had big time plays from big time players in clutch moments. On the other hand we still have stuff to clean up for next week.”
The Huskies, who have won two straight, struck first when Trey Shirkey capped a nine play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard plunge with 3:42 left in the first quarter.
Tyson Sinclair made it 14-0 just 40 seconds later when he stepped in the way of a Richmond Heights pass and returned it 40 yards for a score.
Richmond Heights tied it in the second quarter with back-to-back touchdowns, one coming off a Cardinal turnover.
Cardinal’s defense forced a Richmond Heights turnover on downs at the Huskies 38 and once again Shirkey found the end zone to give the Huskies a 21-14 lead. His four-yard run capped an eight play, 62-yard drive that ended with 1:31 left in the first half.
Cam Klepper scored on a 17-yard run in the third quarter and Shirkey added a five-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Shirkey finished the game with 102 yards on 13 carries and Klepper had 66 on 12. Addison Dorn rushed 10 times for 59 yards. Robbie Mulh and Eric Proch both had interceptions in the game.
The Huskies close out the season on Friday at rival Berkshire.
“We are coming off a win streak and that's good,” Klatik said. “We just need to not be content right now and properly prepare so we play our best against Berkshire and I know that the scoreboard will fall in our favor.”
The Badgers also enter the game at 4-5 after a 47-7 loss at Independence on Friday.
