GRAFTON- “We have to be the more physical team.”  That was the message all week from Cardinals Head Coach Kyle Smith to his team.

Message Received.  Carrington ran for a season-best 160 yards as the Cardinals (3-0, 1-0) rolled to a 34-16 win over the Grafton Spoilers (0-3, 0-1) on Friday night in the Region II opener for both teams.

It started immediately for the Cardinals, as they took the opening kickoff 69 yards on nine plays, the first eight on the ground before an 8-yard pass from Josh Bickett to McKade Zink for a 7-0 lead.  On their second drive, rinse and repeat, as Bickett found his cousin Ryder for a 65-yard touchdown for a 13-0 lead.

Tate Wolsky added two rushing touchdowns and Corbin Clifton had one of his own for a 34-0 lead.  Before the reserves entered the game, the Spoilers were limited to 78 total yards of offense.  Bickett was 8/8 passing for 194 yards and 2 TD and Zink finished with 157 total yards (66 rushing, 91 receiving) in the win.

Carrington will next host Harvey/Wells County (0-3, 0-1) Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.  The Hornets fell to Langdon on Friday 43-42 on a two-point conversion with :18 left.  Coverage on KDAK The Cardinal begins at 6:30 PM