The first big step into the beginning of a new High School Football Season. The first day of two-a-days. Full pads, full go.
The Cardinal Huskies have seen better days of late. In 2021 they had their best record of 7-3 through the regular season since 2014 where they went 8-2. For the past two years the Huskies have found themselves in the OHSAA Playoffs, a goal the team has high hopes of reaching once again here in 2023. But before that happens they must first make it through 10 weeks of regular season football which begins Friday August 18th against the Garfield G-Men, a team that defeated them 38-12 just a season ago. Some coaching changes were made, the biggest being the addition of new Offensive Coordinator Joe Ewell to Head Coach Chris Perotti's growing staff. Following the home opener against Garfield, the Huskies will travel to Pymatuning Valley (Week 2), Coventry (Week 3) and Independence (Week 4) before a return to Middlefield for a home game against the Brooklyn Hurricanes in Week 5. As they move past the mid-way point, it becomes time to renew an All-Time rivalry in the 2023 edition of the Kinsman Cup as they travel just up the road into Burton to take on the Berkshire Badgers in week six. The Badgers are just the first chapter in the Huskies run at the CVC title as all second-half opponents are all members of the Chagrin Valley Conference. Following Week 6, the Crestwood Red Devils come to town in Week 7 before Cardinal heads on the road for the last time in the regular season to take on the Mustangs of Grand Valley. The final two weeks will be played from Richard A. Moss field against the Harvey Red Raiders in Week 9, and the Kirtland Hornets in Week 10. The past couple of season the Huskies have had big senior classes, graduating 10 in 2021 and 9 in 2023. This years senior class is no different.
I talked with Cardinal Head Coach Chris Perotti on his thoughts for the year, and what the relationship between the seniors and him is like as they were freshman his first year of coaching the Huskies.
A key part of the team is not always the Seniors. A Junior class almost as strong as its Senior class has a lot on their plate as they all hope to have breakout seasons and to make a lead into the varsity rotation. Reese Soltis and Chaise Harris shared their thoughts with me about what their individual journeys have been like.
And now finally, the Seniors. Held to a standard of leading by example, leaving a good impression on anyone younger than them. Troy Domen and Logan Strever both have high hopes for the season, both have been key players as sophomores and juniors in the Huskies playoff teams over the last couple of season, looking to pick up where they left off, but improve on it. They had this to say.
Throughout their practice I was around capturing footage of the drills they position coaches were taking them through, perfecting all the little things as the prep for a scrimmage against Orange on Saturday.
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