Cards aim for playoff return in '22

The bleacher area of the to-be-inaugurated "Stadium '22" was still just a concrete slab as of this time last week, but the Carrington football program was hard at work trying to build something of their own in early practice sessions last week.

CHS graduated 13 seniors from last year's 4-5 team that was in playoff contention for the fourth and final spot from Class A Region 2 until the whistle blew on the second-to-last week.

Seventh-year Head Coach Kyle Smith will guide a group of Cardinals eager to show what they are made of this fall. Though lacking experience at some positions, the squad has the athletic talent to compete on any given Friday.

Players to watch

After being largely "thrown to the wolves" when senior starting quarterback Lucas Hendrickson broke his collarbone in the first half of the season opener, junior Grady Shipman (5'11", 165) will have a full year of seasoning when he goes under center.

With the loss of some key backfield players, Shipman will have to use his capable arm and quickness afoot to produce yards for the Cardinal offense.

Going into the running back spot after All-Stater Michael Clifton's graduation is junior Logan Weninger (5'9", 165), whose speed is in contrast to Clifton's power running game. Also in the backfield mix are seniors Kael Kovar (5'10", 160) and Ty Johnston (5'10", 165), and junior Jake Otto (5'11", 170). Sophomore Corbin Clifton (5'10", 145) could see some reps as well.

The big target in the passing game for the Cards is senior tight end/receiver Hudson Schmitz. At 6'3" and 220 pounds, Schmitz is a load to bring down up the middle, and has the athleticism to run past defenders and win jump balls. McCoy Beckley (6'1", 185), another senior, could also see significant snaps at the position. Additionally getting consideration could be sophomore Kanin Zieman (6'2", 180).

The receiving corps for Carrington is very young, but has good potential to become game-breakers eventually.

Sophomore Josh Bickett (6'1", 155) already has seen success on the basketball floor at a young age, and hopes are that his skill set can translate to magic in open spaces. His cousin, sophomore Ryder Bickett, already has size on his side at 6'1", 175, and junior Mark Thomas (5'8", 130) represents a change-of-pace option for Smith's team.

In close games that come down to one or two points, the Cards have one of the region's best late-game weapons in placekicker Jack Paulson. The senior, who also plays soccer for Jamestown High School, has shown a good leg so far on field goals and kickoffs, and has a legitimate 30-35 yard range.

The offensive and defensive lines will be where the Cards might be the least experienced. Senior leaders are Hudson Topp, Braden Kruse, Wyatt Neuman and Luke Maulding, and juniors expected to contribute include Brock Jungels, Maverick Zink and Carson Ova.

All will get a chance to make their mark both offensively and defensively in a very top-heavy Region 2, said Smith.

Additional underclassmen on the roster are Dylan Bachmeier, Cody Otto, Callen Garber, Tyson Scanson, Maddox McIlonie, Gabe Ricter, Tate Wolsky, Ethan Roller, Wyatt Kalliokoski, Maxim Ciubotareanu, Chase Ova, Jacob Hinrichs, Korbyn Zieman and McKade Zink.

In total, 35 players will suit up for CHS this fall, a number with which Smith says was a bit more than expected.

Playoff contenders in the region are always-solid Langdon/Edmore/Munich and Hillsboro/Central Valley, along with Thompson, and HWC still has some juice left after their successful playoff run last season.

New teams in the region could also challenge for the postseason. Bottineau had one of their best seasons in years in their one year of nine-man football, and Rugby returns to Region 2 as well. Northern Cass, a member of the region the past few seasons, has been moved to Region 1.

The Cards will get their first taste of action this Friday night at 7 p.m. when they travel to Rolette to face off with the Bottineau Braves. The game was originally scheduled to be played at the fairgrounds in Bottineau, but ongoing renovations forced the move to the southeast.

Stadium '22 will debut to the public the following Friday, as the Rugby Panthers come to town for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Smith brings back assistant coaches Greg Hoeckle, Matt Hone and Bob Young. Veteran assistant Pat Boehmer retired from the sport at the end of last season, and new coaches coming in are Chad Bickett and Todd Bickett.

The schedule for the upcoming season is as follows:

Aug. 19 Bottineau @ Rolette, 7 p.m.

Aug. 26 Rugby, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 @ Hillsboro-CV, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 Thompson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 @ Grafton, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 Park River Area, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 HWC, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 Bye Week

Oct. 14 @ L/E/M, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 Playoffs, Rd. 1

Oct. 29 Playoffs, Quarter

Nov. 5 Playoffs, Semi

Nov. 11 Dakota Bowl @ Fargodome