Cardinal defenders wrap up a Cadet during Saturday's game in Richmond.
A long bus ride, a sloppy field in wet weather conditions, and an opponent with a homecoming game spelled more than Bishop Ireton could handle Saturday in a 37-0 setback to Benedictine.
The Cadets, 3-3 on the year, fielded a veteran squad anxious to impress a homecoming crowd of alumni on a Saturday afternoon better suited for indoor activities. Ireton played inspired defense throughout the game, making big hits and stopping the Cadets from generally sustaining long drives. But it was the turnovers and mistakes that shortened the field that ultimately undid Bishop Ireton.
An intercepted Cardinal aearial led to a 29-yard field goal and the Cadets led 3-0 after one period. On the second play of the second quarter, the hosts bolted off tackle and down the left sideline to expand the advantage to 10-0, which was all Ireton would yield in the second quarter.
The third quarter, however, saw a blocked punt, interception for a touchdown, among the turnovers that led to a Benedictine explosion for 27 points on a “short field”. The Cardinals would not go away, holding the home team scoreless in the game’s final period.
The unofficial statistics revealed an offense that couldn’t get untracked with less than 100 yards of total offense against the stingy Cadets. The players themselves continued the fight, the defense yielding yards grudgingly and the hitting on both of sides of the ball was strong throughout the contest.
Little time to look back as the Cardinals (2-5) return home after three weeks on the road for a homecoming tilt against diocesan rival, Paul VI (1-6). The 1pm kickoff starts a day of festivities as Bishop Ireton welcomes back the championship teams from 1992 and 1993. Those teams will be introduced at halftime of the game, they gather on Friday in Alexandria to rekindle old friendships and will celebrate with Cardinal fans in the atrium of the auditorium following the football contest.
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