(Deerfield, Ill) – The Concordia football team opened their 2013 season under head coach, Lonnie Pries, for the first time on Saturday. Not only is the head coach new, but the entire coaching staff was switched up in the off season as the young Cardinal program looks to grow and improve this year and in the near future. The Cardinals opened their season by traveling west to Deerfield, Illinois at Frazier Field to face the #55 ranked Trojans from Trinity International.
The Trojans already had a one game experience advantage over the Cards. Last weekend, the Trojans faced Trinity Bible College, shutting them out 48-0.
Trinity won the coin flip and elected to kick the ball allowing Concordia's new offense to show what it had. Cardinal freshman Lawrence Harris (Detroit, MI) was back deep to return the kick-off. Harris caught the ball on the five yard line and returned it 12 yards, giving the Cardinals offense the ball to start the season opening drive. Sophomore quarterback, Tyler Steele (Garden City, MI) got the start as the head man and would take over from the 17 yard line. Steele put together an impressive first drive, going 10-14 and ending the drive by throwing an 11 yard touchdown pass to Corey Turner (Woodhaven, MI). This put the Cards up 6-0 but they would fail to connect on the extra point.
Senior Tom Greenwood (Farmington, MI) kicked off for the Cards after the score and it was the young Cardinal's defenses turn to take the field. The defense looked just as impressive as the offense did on the first drive as Bryan Costello (Midlothian, IL) made two tackles and an incomplete pass by Trojan's quarterback caused Trinity to go three-and-out, giving the ball back to the Cards' offense.
Concordia's opening drive must have been a wake-up call for Trinity's defense. After a shut-out victory in their opening game of the season and then giving up a touchdown on the opening drive the Trojans came alive. Trinity held Steele and the Cards, forcing them to punt after just three plays. The Cardinals downed the ball at the 20 yard line and the Trojan offense took off as well.
After several first-downs, Trojan quarterback Stephen Anderson (La Mirada, CA) completed a pass to Cristian Robinson (Brooklyn, NY), resulting in a 43 yard touchdown. The Trojans would complete the extra point putting them up 7-6 in the first quarter. Concordia had the ball the remainder of the quarter but no more scores would come.
The second quarter started with Greenwood punting again, but this time it would be blocked by a Trojan Defender and recovered on Concordia's 24 yard line. QB Stephen Anderson completed a couple more passes and recorded another TD, quickly putting the Trojans up 14-6 early in the second quarter.
With all the momentum in their favor, Trinity tried to take advantage by kicking an on-side kick. This caught the Cardinals off-guard and Trinity's plan worked as they recovered the ball just shy of mid-field. Cardinal defense came up big in this drive, though, after freshman Trey Runions (Wyandotte, MI) forced a fumble hitting Trogan's running back Chris Elliott (Miami, FL) in the backfield. Matthew Strzalkowski (Brighton, MI) recovered the ball for the Cards at their own 34 yard line.
Concordia took over but failed to go 10 yards and was forced to punt again. Trinity managed to get several first downs before crossing the goal line again. However, the extra point attempt would not be successful as Cardinal Takari Johnson (Lansing, MI) flew over the line and blocked it, leaving the score at 20-6.
After being pumped up about the blocked extra point, Lawrence Harris decided to add even more excitement and took the kickoff back 50 yards giving the Cardinals great field position. Steele completed a pass to Nate Smith (Lapeer, MI) for 16 yards and the Cards made it to the Trinity's 20 yard line but would eventually turn the ball over on downs.
Trinity scored one more touchdown before the half, putting them up 27-6 as the teams went into the locker-room.
Concordia kicked off to the Trojans to start the half. The Trojans put together a nice drive and found themselves inside the Cardinals 10, eventually making it to the two yard line. The Cards defense came up big again as they held the Trojans out of the end zone with a huge goal line stand after the Trojans went for it on fourth down. Unfortunately, this left the Cards pushed back on their own two yard line to start their drive. Trinity sent a rush and got to the Cards new QB, Beau Perry (Anaheim Hills, CA), taking him down in the end zone and resulting in a safety.
The Trojans would put up a few more scores in the third quarter while keeping the Cards offense virtually ineffective only giving up two first downs. The final of the third quarter ended 43-6.
The Trojans scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter while Concordia's offense failed to make a first down. As the clock reached 0:00, the scoreboard read Trinity International 57, Concordia University 6.
For the Cardinals, Tyler Steele went 18-27 with 123 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Corey Turner was the top receiver with 45 yards and one touchdown. D'Karas Fields (Gainesville, FL) also grabbed a few receptions as he had a total of 37 yards on four catches. On the defensive side, Takari Johnson had nine solo tackles including a sack and four assists, Gabe Cox (Laurel, MD) had 2 solo tackles and seven assists, and Nick Holshoe (Allegan, MI) recorded four tackles and two assists. Trey Runions and Gage Frank (Sandusky, MI) both forced fumbles while Brenton Nuby (Spring Hill, FL) and Matt Strzalkowski recovered fumbles.
The Cardinals will stay in the Michigan this weekend when they have their home opener. The Cardinals will play at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium, one of two home fields for the Cards this season. The Cards will face the Pioneers of Alfred State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm with gates opening for fans at noon.
