BRODHEAD — The Cardinals’ 48-0 Homecoming thumping of Dodgeville Oct. 2 almost never happened. 

The Dodgers (1-6, 0-5 SWC), an inferior team on paper hampered with injuries and other health issues, called the game off two days before kickoff. Brodhead-Juda (7-0, 5-0) searched for other schools with openings, but between other homecomings and the unbeaten Cards’ reputation as an overpowering menace, there were no bites on the fishing line. Then on Friday, Oct. 1, Dodgeville agreed to play the game after all, despite the injuries and a COVID-19 scare.

“Homecoming is always important to our seniors. And as I told the kids, we know we’re in the playoffs, but there’s no guarantee we’ll host a playoff game — for these seniors, I told them it might be the last time they play on this field,” said Jim Matthys, Brodhead-Juda’s coach who also celebrated career win No. 100 with the victory. “Our community has really come out and supported us — in all sports. Our volleyball team is having a really good season and our cross country team is pretty competitive. It’s a really special time to be around here right now.”

It didn’t take long for Brodhead-Juda to assert its dominance. Dodgeville was held to a 3-and-out on the opening possession of the game, but worst of all suffered a catastrophe on the snap for the fourth-down punt, instead recovering a fumble by punter Tarren Bockhop at the Dodger 2. On the next snap, Brodhead-Juda senior Gage Boegli waltzed across the goal line, just 81 seconds into the contest.

The Dodgers offense never found a flow against the Cardinals. In the first half alone, Dodgeville had -15 yards of offense, while Brodhead-Juda finished with 194. Boegli had four total scores in the game, including a 14-yard TD reception with 5:47 left in the first quarter, and then 57-yard rush on the second play of the third quarter.

Brodhead-Juda QB Cole Hoesly also connected with fellow senior Brady Malkow for a 32-yard score early in the second quarter. Less than 90 seconds later, the Cardinals went up 28-0.

The fourth score came in another rough sequence for Dodgeville. The Dodgers attempted a fake reverse on the kickoff return, but got a minimal gain. A false start immediately pushed them back five more yards to their own 17, and Matthew Pittz was tackled at his own 10 by Boegli on an option keeper. Pittz was forced to play under center after starting QB Garrett Busch went down in the first with an injury — one of several more injuries for the Dodgers in the game, including Pittz himself in the fourth.

Before the second down snap from their own 10, the Dodgers were called for another false start, and Pittz was rushed into a throw to avoid a sack when action commenced. Standing all alone at his own 30, Leon Saunders grabbed the floating duck for an interception, then looked for blockers.

“After the catch I was looking to see if I could get some yards back, then I started to see that it could go all the way. There was some good blocking, too. It was a great play and I am just really thankful,” Saunders said.

It was Saunders’ first game back in action since a broken femur in the Alternate Fall Spring Season less than six months earlier. Saunders scored, as did brother Isaac Saunders on a run in the fourth quarter.

“It was really tough. I did a lot of work to get back, and I’m happy to be back,” Saunders said.

Coach Matthys said that his team is getting healthier as the season rolls on, contrary to many other teams. He was pleased with how Saunders responded to his injury and in his first game back.

“That’s great for him. He’s coming back into his own. He’s one of our leaders on our team and was having a fantastic game last spring when he broke his leg,” Matthys said.

Two snaps after the pick-6, the Dodgers gave it back to the Cardinals via a fumble, which was recovered by Aaron Makos at the Dodgeville 37. Just three snaps later, Boegli scored his third rushing touchdown of the day.

Brodhead-Juda got the ball back with 4:39 left in the half at the Cardinals 42. Eight plays later the Cards had a first-and-goal from the Dodgers’ 4. Leading 35-0 late in the second quarter and banging on the Dodgers’ doorstep, Brodhead-Juda knelt the ball, running out the clock instead of running up the score. Later, after scoring a seventh touchdown in the fourth quarter with the running clock in tow, the Cardinals opted to not even attempt a point after, figuratively kneeling again.

At halftime, though, Matthys was a bit displeased with his team’s overall energy and effort, and he told his players the starting offense would be in for the first drive of the third to clean some things up. That drive last just two plays, as Boegli scored on 57-yard run fresh out of the gate.

Boegli finished the game with 87 yards rushing on five carries, while Isaac Saunders had 81 yards on six carries, including a 33-yard TD run. Blake Matthys added 68 yards on nine carries. Hoesly was 3-for-3 for 64 yards and two TDs. 

The Cardinals outgained the Dodgers 362-27 in yardage on 36 plays to 34, and 15-6 in first downs. 

“That offensive line is huge. I contribute all of my offense success to those guys. They get all the credit for all those touchdowns,” Boegli said.

Boegli sits at 916 rushing yards and 18 total TDs on the season. Brady Rosheisen has nearly 500 yards rushing, while Hoesly is completing passes at a 71% clip and has a 126.0 QB Rating.

“I think that’s one of the things I’ve gotten as feedback from other coaches is just how hard it is to defend us — and that’s a tribute to these kids and how hard they work,” Matthys said.

Part of the Cardinals’ success this year can be contributed to the strong showing in the spring season. A short offseason also helped with keeping the motivation fresh in the forefront of all the players.

“I think it made a huge difference. It was a lot of momentum that we got,” Matthys said. “I have to give some credit to last year’s seniors who really did a good job last spring, and that’s carried right over to now with this year’s seniors. The cool thing about this team is it’s a mix of older guys and younger guys. Everyone contributes.” 

The Cardinals are closing in on their first conference title in a non-COVID-shortened season since 2014. In Week 8, the Cardinals face Wautoma (2-5) of the South Central Conference in a crossover game. A win would clinch at least a share of the SWC title. Richland Center remains one game behind the Cardinals.

“We just have to keep getting better and keep working hard. Right now we are a good team, but we have to figure out how to become a great team. A great team plays at a high level regardless of who they play and they get better every game,” Matthys said.

Wautoma has been outscored 153-81 this fall, including an 86-35 mark in the second half of games. Opposing teams have averaged more than 180 yards rushing against the Hornets — something that could bode well for Brodhead-Juda. 

The Cardinals have averaged over 270 yards on the ground each week — and coupled with their stout play on the defensive side of the ball and many weapons across the board offensively, teams have had trouble picking who to shut down. That has led to Brodhead-Juda’s wide scoring gap. The Cards have outscored opponents 257-31 this season — an average victory of more than 32 points.

“We’ve got everyone committed. Everyone is invested and on board with our goals,” Boegli said. “Our final goal is to get a win at Camp Randall.”

The team has big plans this fall and wants to go deep into the WIAA Division 5 postseason.