The Big Rapids Cardinal Varsity Football team looks to snap a 2 year losing streak versus the Central Montcalm Hornets tonight at 7:00pm. Game broadcast is on 100.9FM, via the WWBR app, & at WWBR Big Country 100.9.
Tonight's game at Central Montcalm will be the Cardinal's toughest matchup to date. Coach Cripe is 3-0 this season, 14-6 since taking over in 2019, 12-4 against the CSAA-Gold, and he's 7-2 versus the Gold at home (9-2 at home overall). Both of those losses came last season to Reed City in week 3 (36-20) & Tri County in the playoffs (33-7).
The Hornet's are somewhat minimally tested this season though. Coach Cripe has wins over Morley Stanwood, Newaygo, & Fremont but those teams have a combined record of only 1-8.
Against those opponents the Hornets average 28 points a game while surrendering only 14. Both rank as the 3rd best in CSAA-Gold. In his career Coach Cripe's teams have averaged 22 points a game, giving up 21.
HC Mike Selzer is 4-2 versus the Hornets in his 7 years at BR, 2-1 at Central Montcalm High School. Versus Coach Cripe however, Selzer is 0-2 with a -33 point differential.
However Coach Selzer has arguably his highest powered offense to date as well as a red hot Cardinal defense marching down to Stanton tonight. Both were on full display last Friday when Big Rapids pummeled the Newaygo Lions at the brand new Cardinal Stadium, 34-14 to move to 2-1.
BR had 403 yards of offense in the game bringing their average per game to 376 yards (204yds passing & 172yds rushing) to along with a CSAA-Gold best 35pts a game.
QB Wil Strickler continued to dominate rushing for 46yds & a TD while throwing for 186yds & 3 TDs. Wil now has 11 total TDs on the season.
Justin Gorczewicz rushed 19 times for 103yds & 3 TDs. Last week was his 2nd straight game with more than 100yds rushing. He’s averaging 5.67 yds a carry on the year.
Jamal Strickland, among the many things he did in this game, caught 6 passes for 93yds & 3 TDs. He now has 5 TDs on the season.
The Cardinal defense had 4 sacks & caused 5 turnovers. Grant Kidder had 2 picks, Miller 1, Cheese forced a fumble Strickland recovered, & Peck gobbled one up.
Outside of the 2nd quarter, BR allowed only 39 yds of offense to the Lions.
Coach Fricke's defense has allowed a total of 7 points in the 2nd half all season long.
Listen to every play on Big Country 100.9 with Pre-Game starting at 6:45pm.
Kickoff at 7:00pm.
You can stream the game on your phone with the WWBR app or listen online at wwbr.com.