Week 1: WC v. Harrisonville

Finally! It seems like ages ago that WC captured their 8th class 4A state title in St. Louis last November, but finally tonight a new season began.

Love or hate the Cards, you have to give it to them, they don't ever play a cream-puff schedule. The Missouri Class 4A #1 Cardinals opened the season with class 4A #6 Harrisonville in a rematch of the 2008 season opener at Harrisonville.

The 2008 matchup was tight throughout and the Cards didn't seal it until the final play - a 27-21 road win that started a 15 game run to a title.

Tonight, Harrisonville received the opening kick, got a first down, stalled out and punted it to the WC 19 yard line. On WC's first play from scrimmage, Cardinal fans watched as Patrick Drake (my brother-in-law) turned the corner on an option and took it 81 yards to the house. (The pic below is about the time Pat turned the corner, it looks like a couple of those guys might have a shot at him, but no one really ever got close.)



Braxton Baker - yes, he's back - scored on a short run to cap a solid 2nd drive and make the score 14-0.

Baker went 49 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the next possession. 21-0 WC.

Then to cap the first half, Breckin Williams picked off a pass and hustled 65 yards into the end zone. A bad snap on the extra point sent the teams to the locker room at 27-0 WC.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, Maddy Johnson went 95 yards untouched to make the score 33-0 WC (2-pt. attempt to get the clock going continuously failed).

The rest of the game honestly was dull by comparison. Harrisonville eventually scored using it's #1 offense versus something between WC's #2 and JV Defense.

Here's what I think we learned tonight:

- WC is fast. Maybe faster than I've seen them be compared to good competition in the years I've been around.
- WC is dangerous and deep at the skill positions. In case you have any questions about that, go back and read how they scored their 5 touchdowns - 4 of them came on big plays where a WC player got behind the D and checked out.
- WC has some work to do on the line - both ways. We knew coming in that the lines were question marks. Knowing that Hunter Luna is out gives me hope that they'll get some help at some point in the season. Outside of that, the boys up front are simply put going to have to continue to get better - and I have no doubt they will.

Here's how I see this going.

- Next week is going to be tough - and potentially rough - at Arkansas 7A Rogers. We'll see how it goes, but a win on the road in that one would likely be talked about for a long time (we all still feel pretty fortunate to have beaten Rogers in WC in 2008 - frankly I still don't know how we won that game).
- I believe the ultimate outcome of the season is going to be predicated on how the offensive and defensive lines improve as the season goes on. The horses are in place in the skill positions to have a great season. If the line can open holes on offense and close them on defense the way we're accustomed to seeing it may be a great year.

Stay tuned, we're just getting started.

Lame Mastercard commercial ripoff exit comments:
- Admission to a WC football game - $0 if you're married to a teacher.
- Spending a couple of hours with your preacher at the stadium just for fun when he's got a bad hammy and needs help claiming the family plot of seats - 50 yards at full speed with 3 blankets and a draw string bag.
- Cardinal Stadium atmosphere on opening night when the QB you're related to takes the first snap to the house - electric.
- Watching the Cards get a big win on your 30th birthday - priceless.

(Special thanks to Matt Foreman for the use of his photos in this post.)