Festive mood despite loss at Arlington homecoming
It almost felt like football season as the warm day gave way to a cool night in Arlington on Friday.
With dozens of spectators and joyful teenagers taking in Arlington’s Homecoming celebration, nothing was going to bring the mood down. Not even the drumming that the Rangers put on the Cardinals.
Cardinals Coach Dennis Stefani talks with Ione senior quarterback Hunter Padberg prior to kickoff in Arlington on Friday.
From the kickoff, Dufur asserted control of the game. Traps to the left side resulted in big yards and the first touchdown of the game by Dufur senior Jacob Peters.
After turning the ball over on downs, the Cardinals gave up another touchdown from Kaleb Pence.
Dufur had a balanced attack and threw the ball as Arlington/Ione looked to stop the run. Quarterback Cooper Bales threw to tight-end Trey Dardin and receiver Benjamin Schanno. Dufur scored with each possession and led 38-0 at the half.
Arlington’s Homecoming Court (L to R): Princess Sasha Keown and Prince Jace Troutman; Prince Jed Knight and Princess Mary Hammond; Prince Tyler Bufton and Princess Megan Smart; Prnce Jaxon Rogers and Princess Leah Steward; Prince Alex Shane and Princess Hailey Ames. Homecoming King Jed Knight and Queen Mary Hammond Princess Sasha Keown and Prince Jace Troutman Prince Tyler Bufton and Princess Megan Smart
After a celebratory halftime event complete with new and classic cars (from a Tesla to a Stingray), and the crowning of the Homecoming King (#14 Jed Knight) and Queen (Mary Hammond) – it was back to football.
If the Cardinals were supposed to wave the white flag, someone forgot to tell the team. The Cardinals showed spirit and poise in the second half.
On their first drive, the Cardinals drove the length of the field. On a nifty bootleg play, Hunter Padberg scored the first points for the Cardinals. The team then converted on the extra point, to make the score 38-8.
But the ensuing kickoff was a cold shower for the Cardinals as Cooper Bales fielded the kick and took it to the house, regaining the lead to 44-8.
Ione then marched down the field again and Padberg threw a strike to a receiver in the end-zone, making the score 44-14.
But Dufur got the last laugh, as Bales found his favorite target, senior receiver Benjamin Schanno for a 45 yard touchdown.
Despite the loss, the Cardinals played hard and got solid contributions from several seniors and underclassmen.
Next week, Ione will host its last home game of the year as the Cardinals take on Pilot Rock in Ione. Kickoff is set for 7 PM on March 26th.