Ryan Hackman
Contributing Writer
The North Central Cardinals beat the Carthage Red Men 53-23 at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18. They improved their overall record to 5-1 and 3-0 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play.
The Cardinals scored two touchdowns in the first six minutes of regulation. Quarterback Dylan Warden completed 10 out of 23 passes, 3 touchdowns for 163 yards while running 10 times for 115 yards and one interception.
The first score came when Matt Randolph caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Warden, then Peter Sorensen caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Warden tying Tyke Spencer’s 2006 record of 28 career touchdown receptions.
Sorenson took over sole possession of the record when he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Sorenson said that the record is “humbling” but insisted that winning a conference game is more important than an individual accomplishment.
Sorenson also said that the Cardinals do not take any team in the CCIW conference for granted and prepared hard this week knowing that Carthage lost a close game in double overtime last week against Elmhurst.
On the defense, the Cardinals forced five turnovers including four interceptions with PJ Crotty leading the way with 2, and Jordan Dean contributing big time with 8 tackles. Looking ahead to next week, the Cardinals are on the road playing at CCIW rival Wheaton for the rights to the Little Brass Bell.
Coach John Thorne says that next week’s game will likely be crucial. “It’s very much like a playoff game and it will probably determine the winner of the conference,” said Thorne. He also said that despite the win, there is plenty of room for improvement and that the preparation for next week’s game will be “a long week for all of us.”
On that, he notes the team may have a more difficult time with the quick strike offense than last year’s team.
Not to be forgotten, Dom Zavaglia ‘18, tied a school record set by Nick Dace ‘14 with 4 field goals from 24, 32, 34, and 39 yards respectively.
