The Cardinal Huskies have faced many trials in their 2020 season. With junior running back Zack Czako tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the season, then, losing backup running back sophomore Eithan Detweiler against State Champion Kirtland Hornets, the Huskies have overcome challenges all season.
The Cardinal Huskies have faced many trials in their 2020 season. With junior running back Zack Czako tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the season, then, losing backup running back sophomore Eithan Detweiler against State Champion Kirtland Hornets, the Huskies have overcome challenges all season.
In the middle of the Huskies’ summer workouts, the team and the community of Middlefield heard the news of a local supporter in John Granny who suffered a severe accident that left him paralyzed. A few weeks later, the hearts of many Huskies were deeply saddened when the news of Granny’s passing surfaced in the community.
The Huskies would honor the passing of John Granny during their home opener against the Blue Devils of Independence. Prior to the game, the Huskies paid tribute to Granny with the works he accomplished at both, Cardinal Local Schools District, and Kent State Geauga and Trumbull campuses.
“John Granny was a staple to our community and school ,” said head coach George Gresko. “John came to almost every sporting event, fundraising event, and even booster meetings. He supported our school and sports teams.”
On the football field the Huskies were struggling to pick up a win. A heartbreaker in week one against arch rival, Berkshire, then three straight losses to three different undefeated teams in Independence, Kirtland, and Beachwood, the Huskies’ season looked like it was just about over.
Coach Gresko and his team would pick up their first win against Grand Valley on Sept. 25. As his team and his coaching staff did their best to celebrate their first win of the season, the smiles on their faces were quickly wiped off when tragedy again struck the community of Middlefield.
A local family in the area would soon learn that their young son would be involved in a serious automobile accident. Eleven weeks after losing John Granny, the Huskies were faced with adversity again. The younger brother of the Cardinal graduate would be a member of Cardinal’s football team.
“When we heard the news, we knew we had to be there for the players on our team,” Gresko said. “We’re a family, and we preach that every day, and every week. We played for the family that was in need this week, and we got the win for them.”
The Huskies would pick up another this past Friday evening against Chagrin Valley Conference opponent in Brooklyn after shaking off a slow start.
“Coach Gresko told us to do it for the family that was in need, and that gave us momentum to play through the half,” said junior Blake Reinhart after the Huskies rolled to a convincing 33-14 win against the Hurricanes.
“We struggled early on offense, defense, and special teams, but we had some key guys come in to playJ,” Gresko said. “Joey Soltis had a great game. He did a great job running the ball. Our defense played outstanding with 14 points allowed, overall we played pretty well.”
At the half, the Huskies would be tied with the Hurricanes at 14. Senior Cardell Sheppard would score a touchdown where he did his best NFL impression of the famous toe dragging catch to tie the game.
Reinhart would record a safety to start the second half, and give Cardinal its first lead of the evening. Junior JR Kochy would run for a touchdown, followed by a pick six in freshman Neil Lucariello and the defense.
Looking ahead the Huskies will face LaBrae for just their second trip to the playoffs in school history. Their first since 2002, where the Huskies went 10-0 in the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs where they lost to Dalton.
“LaBrae is a very well coached team that is playing good football right now. They have a good quarterback and running back that can run the ball well, but I think if we play our game, we’ll be okay,” Gresko said when asked how he and his coaching staff are preparing for the playoffs.
The Huskies travel to LaBrae who enters the season at 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the All-American league. The Huskies are now 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the Chagrin Valley Conference.
