CAMDEN — Efficient.
That's the word one might use when describing the Camden Fairview Cardinals (3-4, 2-2) 48-6 win over the De Queen Leopards (0-7, 0-4) on Friday Night.
Just one week after the team's lowest point and yardage total of the season, the Cardinals took the nearly two and a half hour trip to Sevier County and put on its best statistical performance in conference play.
The Cardinals scored early and often in the game. After Jaden Bates blocked DQ's punt on its opening drive, the Cardinals would start at the DQ 48 yard line. Patrick Rucks would cap a four-play drive when he scored on his first carry on a two-yard rush with 9:29 left in the first quarter. Mark Welch added the PAT to put the Cardinals up 7-0.
Then on the ensuing kick-off, Justin Scott delivered a big hit and recovered the kick at the DQ 24 to get the Cardinals back on offense. Three plays latter, CF's Logan Robertson read the DQ defense perfectly and ran tough up the middle before carrying a bunch of DQ defenders into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. William Boniello added the PAT to put the Cards up 14-0 with 8:49 left in the opening quarter.
DQ was backed up to their own 4 yard line after a penalty on the kickoff return and the defense would force them to go three and out. Dashaire Ford Burton would have a big punt return to get the Cardinals down to the DQ 7 yard line. On the next play, Robertson found Jacoriae Brown in the flat for a touchdown. The PAT was no good.
DQ would score their only touchdown with 10 seconds left in the first quarter when Marquez Ester scored on a 4 yard run. The PAT was no good and the Cardinals led 20-6 to end the first quarter.
Troy Butler had a big 30 plus yard return on the kickoff to the put the Cardinals just passed the 50 yard line. The Cardinal would convert two, third downs and score when Robertson hit Bates on a 9 yard slant with 7:54 left before the half. Boniello's PAT was good.
Tyree Tatum wore the No. 12 in honor of Tyler Kelly Friday night and symbolically came up with an interception at the CF 12 yard line on a DQ fourth down attempt. The Cardinals would make the most of the opportunity and score several plays later on a 7 yard Utah pass from Robertson to Troy Butler with 2 minutes left before the half. Boneillo was again true on the PAT.
The Cardinals received the kickoff in the second half and Rashard Clardy would score on a one yard run after a five play drive. Boniello's PAT put the mercy rule in effect. Erick Gates would add the Cardinals final score on a 10 yard quarterback keeper with 8 minutes left in the fourth.
CF was nearly perfect statistically. The Cardinals were 6/7 on PAT's with Boniello going 5/5. Erik Hall rushed for 98 of CF's total 265 yards on the ground and the Cardinals offense finished with 366 total yards without any negative rushing plays.
Robertson finished 12 of 15 for a net of 101 yards. Another 63 yards was wiped out due to penalties.
The Cardinals had three total sacks in the game and forced DQ to go 0/4 in their passing game with a fumble recovery and an interception.
CF was 5/5 on third downs and didn't punt the ball once. The Cardinal had 9 penalties with six of them being effort or post snap (holding, face mask etc.) and only one penalty in the second half. No unsportsman like penalties.
The win puts CF back in the playoff hunt in a three way tie with Magnolia and McClellan. While Magnolia has a one-point head to head win, the Cardinals hold a five-point victory over the new conference leading Hot Springs Lakeside Rams.