BRODHEAD - The word about the multi-headed monster in Brodhead-Juda's backfield had gotten out. So Jim Matthys spent extra time in his laboratory - the practice field - tinkering with a new beast to add to the mix.
The result was a coming-out party for the Cardinals' passing game - that's right - as sophomore David Earleywine lit up Beloit Turner to the tune of 9-of-11 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-6 Rock Valley-opening victory.
"It was something we worked on all week because the last couple weeks we haven't had to pass much," said Matthys, whose club has had two 100-plus-yard rushers in both of its first two games.
"This week we talked about coming out and making a statement that we can put it all together."
So he gave the missing piece the green light, scripting a variety of pass plays that took the Wing-T formation to flight.
"Coach told me we wanted to try to pass the ball tonight," Earleywine said. "He didn't tell me what we were going to do, he just told me to go out and throw the ball like I mean it."
And did he.
The 6-4, 185-pound underclassman went 3-for-3 for 90 yards on the Cards' opening possession, first hooking up with Mike Peterson for 26 yards. The 6-3 wideout leapt and snared the ball at his highest point over Jacob Girard, who was flagged for interference on the play.
Two plays after a nice catch by Devin Seitz on a 10-yard slant, Seitz bailed out Earleywine on one of his rare mistakes. The senior adjusted nicely on a deep ball down the right sideline, made the catch and immediately ran through an arm tackle attempt by George Lankford for a 54-yard scoring strike.
"Devin saved my butt on that play," Earleywine said. "That was a terrible ball, but he came back for it and broke through."
Behind a steady offensive line and with the help of a stable of great running backs,
Earleywine orchestrated three scoring drives on as many tries in the first half to take a 22-0 lead.
"I think he needed that," Matthys said. "Our quarterbacks - I've been kind of hard on 'em. David had a nice night tonight and the biggest thing he did was kept his composure."
Earleywine was particularly cool on down and distance. In fact, he didn't miss when his team needed seven or more yards on third or fourth down, going 5-for-5 in such situations. With his team up comfortably 29-0 on fourth and 7 at the Turner 20 late in the third, Earleywine hit Alex Wallace in stride on a flag route inside the 10. The junior kept his feet long enough to launch himself sailing over the pilon for a score on the last pass Earleywine threw.
"Usually when it's third or fourth and long, I know we're gonna be throwing and I've gotta go out there and make a play," Earleywine said. "The offensive line is going to be there and your wide receivers are going to make plays. You just gotta get it out there to them."
Jim Lewis punctuated the first 24 minutes of play with a 45-yard interception return down the right sideline. The senior picked up a convoy and cut inside at the 10 as his escort sent several Trojans flying out of bounds. Lewis found paydirt and the Cards found themselves up 29-0 at the break.
Senior Brayden Fritsch had scoring runs of 16 and 6 yards and sophomore fullback Jesse Delorme added a 4-yard plunge.
Last season's Rock Valley South MVP Ethan Douglas sat out to rest an ankle injury he reaggravated last week. Matthys said, had his team needed its No. 1 back and middle linebacker at any point, No. 34 would have entered play.
"He understands, that's the great thing about Ethan. He's the ultimate team player and he knows for our team to be successful, he needs to be healthy."
Earley-wine's eyes were wide open as he picked apart the defense for three quarters.
In the process, many eyes were opened to how devastating the Cardinals' offense could be. Especially the young quarterback with a great group of friends.
"Ethan (Douglas) could realistically be all-state, Brayden's (Fritsch) stepping it up, Gavin Garrett had five touchdowns last week, Jake Covert's a heck of a fullback," Earleywine said. "Devin Seitz out at wing and Mike Peterson at receiver...I've got good guys all around me."
The result was a coming-out party for the Cardinals' passing game - that's right - as sophomore David Earleywine lit up Beloit Turner to the tune of 9-of-11 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-6 Rock Valley-opening victory.
"It was something we worked on all week because the last couple weeks we haven't had to pass much," said Matthys, whose club has had two 100-plus-yard rushers in both of its first two games.
"This week we talked about coming out and making a statement that we can put it all together."
So he gave the missing piece the green light, scripting a variety of pass plays that took the Wing-T formation to flight.
"Coach told me we wanted to try to pass the ball tonight," Earleywine said. "He didn't tell me what we were going to do, he just told me to go out and throw the ball like I mean it."
And did he.
The 6-4, 185-pound underclassman went 3-for-3 for 90 yards on the Cards' opening possession, first hooking up with Mike Peterson for 26 yards. The 6-3 wideout leapt and snared the ball at his highest point over Jacob Girard, who was flagged for interference on the play.
Two plays after a nice catch by Devin Seitz on a 10-yard slant, Seitz bailed out Earleywine on one of his rare mistakes. The senior adjusted nicely on a deep ball down the right sideline, made the catch and immediately ran through an arm tackle attempt by George Lankford for a 54-yard scoring strike.
"Devin saved my butt on that play," Earleywine said. "That was a terrible ball, but he came back for it and broke through."
Behind a steady offensive line and with the help of a stable of great running backs,
Earleywine orchestrated three scoring drives on as many tries in the first half to take a 22-0 lead.
"I think he needed that," Matthys said. "Our quarterbacks - I've been kind of hard on 'em. David had a nice night tonight and the biggest thing he did was kept his composure."
Earleywine was particularly cool on down and distance. In fact, he didn't miss when his team needed seven or more yards on third or fourth down, going 5-for-5 in such situations. With his team up comfortably 29-0 on fourth and 7 at the Turner 20 late in the third, Earleywine hit Alex Wallace in stride on a flag route inside the 10. The junior kept his feet long enough to launch himself sailing over the pilon for a score on the last pass Earleywine threw.
"Usually when it's third or fourth and long, I know we're gonna be throwing and I've gotta go out there and make a play," Earleywine said. "The offensive line is going to be there and your wide receivers are going to make plays. You just gotta get it out there to them."
Jim Lewis punctuated the first 24 minutes of play with a 45-yard interception return down the right sideline. The senior picked up a convoy and cut inside at the 10 as his escort sent several Trojans flying out of bounds. Lewis found paydirt and the Cards found themselves up 29-0 at the break.
Senior Brayden Fritsch had scoring runs of 16 and 6 yards and sophomore fullback Jesse Delorme added a 4-yard plunge.
Last season's Rock Valley South MVP Ethan Douglas sat out to rest an ankle injury he reaggravated last week. Matthys said, had his team needed its No. 1 back and middle linebacker at any point, No. 34 would have entered play.
"He understands, that's the great thing about Ethan. He's the ultimate team player and he knows for our team to be successful, he needs to be healthy."
Earley-wine's eyes were wide open as he picked apart the defense for three quarters.
In the process, many eyes were opened to how devastating the Cardinals' offense could be. Especially the young quarterback with a great group of friends.
"Ethan (Douglas) could realistically be all-state, Brayden's (Fritsch) stepping it up, Gavin Garrett had five touchdowns last week, Jake Covert's a heck of a fullback," Earleywine said. "Devin Seitz out at wing and Mike Peterson at receiver...I've got good guys all around me."
