Luverne to tangle with Redwood in battle of 3-1 teams

It will be a battle of two 3-1 teams when Redwood Valley pays a visit to the Luverne Cardinals on Friday, Nov. 6. Both teams’ lone loss this season has come against Blue Earth Area, a Top Five team in class AA.
Redwood Valley opened the season with a 34-0 victory over Windom Area. In the second game of the season, Redwood Valley defeated Pipestone Area 18-7.
Redwood Valley lost their first game of the season to Blue Earth Area 46-18. They bounced back last week with a 28-14 victory over Jackson County Central.
“The Cardinal defense has been solid from the get-go as the offense got up to speed,” said Seth Toupal, the Cardinals’ sports announcer for KLGR radio in Redwood Falls.
“With the exception of their loss to Blue Earth Area (arguably the best team in AA), the Cardinals have played very good situational football on both sides of the ball, dominating time of possession and limiting the possessions of opposing teams. Considering the series of events that led to the start of this shortened fall season, the Cardinals don't seem rattled.”
Luverne opened the season with a 22-0 road victory over Pipestone Area and then lost to Blue Earth Area, 41-10.
Since that loss the Luverne Cardinals have defeated Jackson County Central 32-0, and Windom Area 35-0.
Redwood Valley sports a balanced offense that’s averaging 24.5 points per game.
“The Cardinals are a well-rounded team offensively,” Toupal said about Redwood Falls.
“They have the ability to control the clock when they have the lead but are able to score quickly if necessary. They use motion and misdirection to their advantage and have a set of very sure-handed receivers that have a knack for breaking tackles and picking up extra yards.”
It will be strength versus strength when the two Cardinal teams take the field on Friday in Luverne.
Redwood Valley has one of the best aerial attacks in the area, while Luverne’s pass defense is one of the stingiest.
“The Cardinals are led by quarterback Alex Lang, who uses his receivers Connor Josephson and Drew Lundeen to move the chains,” Toupal said.
“Carter Johnson gives the Cardinals a big, physical runner who can power through opposing defenses. The offensive line also deserves a ton of praise for keeping the pocket clean and creating good running lanes.”
Through four games Redwood Valley’s defense is giving up 16.7 points per game. 
“Defensively Redwood Valley does a good job of pressuring the quarterback,” Toupal said.
“This is through a combination of great coverage by their defensive backs and a physical defensive line. The Cardinals get a great push up front and excel at putting teams in second and third and long situations.”
Redwood Valley’s defense will be tasked with slowing down Luverne running back LaShad Smith.
Smith enters the game on a roll, rushing for five touchdowns and adding a receiving touchdown in the last two games.
Luverne’s defense is giving up 10.3 points per game and has held teams off the scoreboard in all three of their victories this season.