Gresko And Huskies Pick Up First Win
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Cardinal Huskies ... from a new stadium in the works, to a new coach
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Cardinal Huskies. From a new athletic stadium and track, to a new and refreshed coaching staff for the football team, if there was ever a time for first year head coach George Gresko and company to make a name for themselves, it was against Pymatuning Valley.
The quarterback roles would be passed down from Matt Carney to junior Joey Soltis, who shined in Friday night’s victory over the Lakers, 34-14.
Soltis threw for 272 yards and rushed for 49, with one rushing touchdown. A dangerous combination of senior Casey Horner and Soltis could be a bright light for the Huskies this season. Horner finished the night with three touchdowns and 140 yards overall.
“We knew we had to attack them,” Horner said. “They’re a good team, but we knew if we could get a run game in, that it would open up a lot of space for us.”
Junior Cardell Shephard picked up a touchdown of his own, picking up 70 yards. Behind Soltis, the Huskies might have found their newest running back in freshman in Ethan Detweiler, who would rush for 89 yards.
A majority of Cardinal’s success came from the aggressive offensive line.
“Our offensive line put on a dominating performance,” said Gresko.
“Our line really has improved since last year, and really pushed off the ball,” Soltis said. “They got really good yardage. The line was a really big part of us executing the game plan.”
On the defensive end, Shephard led the Huskies with six solo tackles and an interception.
“It was very important for us to get this win after the loss,” Soltis said. “We had to bounce back, and it was an amazing bounce-back game.”
For Gresko and his young coaching staff, opportunities are endless for this young team.
“It was nice to get that weight off of my shoulders, but I couldn’t have done it without my coaching staff and everyone in the community being at the game tonight — that was a big thing,” Gresko said. “Our players are working hard, understanding what we are doing every week, and to be able to bounce back was our biggest thing.”
Said Horner: “We wanted to show that wasn’t what our season was going to be like, and we wanted to turn it around quick.”
A new-look Huskies could make things interesting in the new CVC. After all, the Huskies have nothing to lose, and are looking to pick up another victory over the Crestwood Red Devils before they face off against their arch rival, Berkshire, in Week Four.
Stay Connected
