A year ago Jackson County Central ended the Luverne Cardinals’ football season in the section semifinals.
On Friday, Oct. 23, the Cardinals exacted a little revenge. Playing in front of a smaller Homecoming crowd, the Cardinals blanked JCC 32-0.
The Cardinal defense set the tone for the game on the opening drive. On the second play from scrimmage, Luverne forced a fumble that was recovered by Zach Ahrendt at JCC’s 31-yard line.
It took seven plays for the Cardinals to capitalize on the turnover. LaShad Smith got the Cardinals on the board with a six-yard rushing touchdown. Zach Kruse converted the two-point conversion to put the Cardinals up 8-0.
On JCC’s next offensive possession the Cardinals’ defense forced the visitors to go three and out.
Following the JCC punt, the Cardinals took over at JCC 's 48-yard line.
On the fourth play of the drive, Bailey Cowell hooked up with Gannon Ahrendt for 34 yards to set the Cardinals up inside JCC’s five-yard line.
Three plays later, Smith crossed the goal line for the second time in the first quarter to give the Cardinals a 15-0 lead following the extra point.
With JCC knocking on the door, it was once again Luverne’s defense coming up with a critical play. The Huskies were at Luverne’s 22-yard line when Casey Sehr picked off a pass in the end zone.
The Cardinals opened the second half with a 15-0 lead and the ball. On the opening drive of the final 24 minutes, the Cardinals found paydirt.
On the eighth play of the drive, Ashton Sandbulte scored from one yard out to put the Cardinals up 22-0.
The Cardinals found the end zone again on their second drive of the third quarter. Smith scored his third touchdown of the game on a 42-yard pass from Cowell. Following the extra point from Shaid Shearer, the Cardinals led 29-0.
JCC’s next drive ended in another turnover. Luverne’s Zach Kruse recovered a fumble to set the Cardinals up in JCC territory.
The Cardinals were unable to score a touchdown off the turnover, but they were still able to put points on the board. Shearer nailed a 33-yard field goal to put the Cardinals up 32-0.
With the victory the Cardinals improved to 2-1. The Cardinals now have two shutouts on the season. The Cardinals will look to pick up their third win of the season on Friday, Oct. 30, against the Windom Eagles in Windom.
Luverne 15 0 17 0 32
JCC 0 0 0 0 0
Passing: Cowell 5-7-102-1
Rushing: L. Smith 15-99-2; Cowell 12-30-0; A Sandbulte 3-6-1
Receiving: G. Ahrendt 3-44-0; L. Smith 1-42-1
Tackles: Z. Ahrendt 4.5; Halverson 3; Ripka 3