Montgomery vs Plainfield

Montgomery – 7

Plainfield – 6

The Cardinals offense started off fast by scoring on their first possession but could not find any consistency for the remainder of the game.  Untimely penalties continue to plague the Cardinals.  The Cardinals defense played well giving up their only score in the final quarter on a half back option pass.  Ryan Boyle of Montgomery rushed for 100+ yards against the Cardinal defense.  This is respectable considering Boyle rushed for 250+ yards against a very good Union team.

Here are some of the Cardinal Fanatic sideline quarterback observations

1)      Big improvement on turnovers from the previous game.

2)      Untimely momentum defeating penalties of 10+ yards

3)      Offense lacking consistency, which the penalties may pull the Cardinals out of what, they do best.

The positive outlook of this game was the defense played well and the running game did a respectable job.  Penalties pushed the Cardinals into situations where they were looking at 2^nd or 3^rd and 10+ yards for a first down.  Defenses know that 95% of the time the next play will be a pass.  Thus making the Cardinals offense very predictable for their opponents.

The penalties must be reduced and the timing of these penalties at critical moments must stop.  With the Spartans of Immaculata next up, and a loss eliminating the Cards from the playoffs, every Cardinal must be on deck with full focus and mental concentration. 

Rickie Barnett continues to play effectively.  His fumble on a 120% effort to gain yards on a punt return was redeemed on the defensive side of the ball.  Barnett picked up his intensity, along with Sparrow and Jno-Lewis, to stop Montgomery from taking advantage of the turnover.  Rickie’s defensive and special teams effort earned the Cardinal Fanatic player of the game.

Other Notes:

Offensive Player of the game – Lamond Sparrow

Defensive Player of the game – Chad Jno-Lewis 

The following player’s earned the Cardinal Fanatic Star for their helmets

Rickie Barnett – 3*

Chad Jno-Lewis – 2*

Lamond Sparrow –*

Sharrieff Rasheed - *

Kevin Grundy - *

Next game:  @ Immaculata (Somerville) at 7:00pm on October 21^st

Note:  See www.PlainfieldSportsNews.com for a complete write-up of the game

Elizabeth vs Plainfield

Elizabeth – 48

Plainfield –  0

The Cardinals laid an egg on their first road game of the season last week.  This week the Cards laid another egg as the Minutemen of Elizabeth accepted the gifts in the way of turnovers to blank the Cardinals.  The Cardinals turned the ball over a whopping 7 times.  The Minutemen converted 5 of them into Touch Downs with 2 scores on interception returns.

1)      The Cardinals turned the ball over to a point of no return.

2)      Special teams took a step back

3)      Tackling – The Minutemen broke several tackles

The positive outlook of this game was, if not for the turnovers and special teams, the score would be 0-0!

Junior, Joshua Knight played admirable from the nose guard position.  His effort was good enough to eek out Chad Jno-Lewis (2 blocked extra point attempts) for the Cardinal Fanatic player of the game. 

Other Notes:

Offensive Player of the game – Steven Jones Jr.

Defensive Player of the game – Robert Jackson 

The following player’s earned the Cardinal Fanatic Star for their helmets

Joshua Knight – *

Robert Jackson –*

Chad Jno-Lewis –*

Steven Jones Jr. - *

Note:  See www.PlainfieldSportsNews.com for a complete write-up of the game

Plainfield vs Union

Plainfield – 14

Union – 38

The Cardinals laid an egg on their first road game of the season.  The effort was not there and uncharacteristic penalties haunted them during the course of the game.  Union rushed and passed for a combined total of 409 yards.  The defense gave up the most points this season.  It does not get any easier next week as one of the most prolific offensive units coached by the Mighty Quinn will look to add to their stat line on the Cards.

1)      The Cardinals were flat as a pancake.

2)      The offensive unit sputtered all night

3)      On a positive note, the special teams showed improvement

For the 3rd consecutive game, Rickie Barnett garnered the Plainfield Fanatic overall player of the game.  Although he did not score for the first time this season, his special teams effort was the main reason why the Cardinals improved in this area of the game.  His kickoffs sailed deep with one going into the end zone for a touchback and his 79-yard kick return setup a score.  His punting was also effective. 

Other Notes:

Offensive Player of the game – Robert Jackson

Defensive Player of the game – Sharrieff Rasheed

The following player’s earned the Cardinal Fanatic Star for their helmets

Rickie Barnett – 2*

Robert Jackson –*

Chad Jno-Lewis –*

Don Juan Harrison - *

Next game:  Elizabeth @ home at 1:00pm on October 8^th

Note:  See www.PlainfieldSportsNews.com for a complete write-up of the game

Somerville vs Plainfield

Somerville – 21
Plainfield – 28

The Cardiac Cards were at it again; the young Red Birds came up with the overtime victory as the Somerville Pioneers nearly pulled a magical act with their deceptive fakes. Keys to the victory:

1) The Cardinals were the stronger team as the game went on
2) 5 different running backs contributed with the starting running back out due to injury
3) Key contributions from several sophomores
4) The offensive line did a good job
5) The defense made multiple stops for loss yardage
6) A true team effort was displayed. Multiple key contributors helped the Cardinals pull this game.

For the 2nd consecutive game, Rickie Barnett garnered the Plainfield Fanatic overall player of the game. Rickie contributed in every way possible. Rickie was perfect for extra points (4 for 4) and scored two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing. His rushing touchdown in overtime decided the game.

Other key contributors:
Junior – Joshua Knight averaged 8 yards per carry including a rush for a touchdown. Josh also had 4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss yardage
Sophomore – Steven Jones Jr. rushed for a team high 86 yards. Jones led the team in tackles with 12, which included 2 tackles for loss yardage. Jones also scored on a 45 yard run after a fumble recovery.
Senior – Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan threw for 1 touchdown
Senior – Sharrieff Rasheed had 11 tackles that included 2 tackles for loss yardage.
Senior – Kevin Grundy had 9 tackles that included 4 tackles for loss yardage
Senior – Don Juan Harrison had 5 tackles that included 4 tackles for loss yardage. Allowed only 1 play for negative yards on the offensive line
Sophomore – Justin Forster had 2 interceptions, 1 force fumble, and 5 tackles that included 1 tackle for loss yardage
Junior – Leon Johnson offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards
Senior – Lamond Sparrow offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards. Lamond also had 2 tackles that included one tackle for loss yardage.
Junior – Hampton Pringley offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards. Hampton also had 4 tackles, one for loss yardage, and a quarterback sack.
Junior – Dawel Benscome offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards.
Senior – Chad Jno-Lewis offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards. Chad also had 7 tackles that included 2 tackles for loss yardage.
Sophomore – Duane Goode offensive line play allowed only one play for negative yards.





Other Notes:
Offensive Player of the game – Joshua Knight
Defensive Player of the game – Steven Jones, Jr.


The following player’s earned the Cardinal Fanatic Star for their helmets

Rickie Barnett – 8*
Steven Jones Jr. – 4*
Kevin Grundy – 4*
Don Juan Harrison - 3*
Joshua Knight - 2*
Chad Jno-Lewis - 2*
Lamond Sparrow- 2*
Justin Foster - 2*
Sharrieff Rasheed - 2*
Hampton Pringley - *
Dii’Jon Allen-Jordan - *
Tyler Barratt - *
Joshua Forehand - *
Trellis Nash - *
Akiel Revan - *
Khaliq Harris - *
Quahif Lane - *

Next game: Elizabeth @ home at 1:00pm on October 8th

Note: See www.PlainfieldSportsNews.com for a complete write-up of the game