KULM, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Cardinals led for most of the game and picked up their first win of the season in the first game of the year, 38-28 over the Thunder of Ellendale/Edgeley/Kulm in Class A non-region football Friday night. Carrington is now 1-0 overall, EEK drops to 0-1.

The Cardinals struck first on their opening drive almost seven minutes into the game when Junior QB Lucas Hendrickson connected with Junior Michael Clifton for a 7-yard touchdown pass. On the Thunder’s opening drive and not quite three minutes later, they scored a touchdown of their own after running back Anton Carruth rushed in from two yards out, the two-point conversion was no good making the score 8-6 Carrington at the end of the first quarter. There were four touchdowns scored in the second quarter, two by each team, making the score 24-22 Carrington heading into halftime.

The Thunder took the lead for the first time in the game but for a very brief moment at the start of the third quarter after Junior QB Adam Nitschke connected with Senior Jorgen Paulson for a 40-yard touchdown reception, 28-24. On the ensuing kickoff, Clifton ran the ball back for a 70-yard kickoff return to help the Cardinals retake the lead after the two-point conversion, 32-28. Later in the fourth, Clifton would rush for another TD to seal the deal.

Clifton ended up scoring four touchdowns, two receiving, one rushing and a kickoff return.

Next up for Carrington will be on Saturday, August 29th in Nedrose against No. 3 Minot Bishop Ryan for another non-region contest. KDAK and newsdakota.com will have the pregame about 1:30pm, kickoff at 2pm.