VERDIGRIS CARDINALS
Coach: TRAVIS EAST
5-6
QUICK HITS:
Verdigris will play Berryhill for the 13th consecutive season on October 25th. Berryhill won 37-16 in 2023 and has a 9-4 edge in the series, including a playoff win in 2020. Jay is on the Verdigris schedule
for the ninth straight season on September 27th. The Cardinals have won 5 straight against the Bulldogs and won 32-14 in 2023.
OFFENSE
With six starters returning to the spread offense the Cardinals and head coach Travis East like to run, it’s easy to see why everyone is excited to see the 2024 edition on the field. “We have a great group of returning players that are high character kids. We are excited about this season and what it will bring. We have an awesome group of players that will work hard in every facet of the game,” said East. Leading the way is a sophomore quarterback in Ethan Hushbeck (6-0, 175) who started a few games as a freshman. The job appears to be his and according to coach East, Hushbeck is working hard to be successful for his teammates. His best friend is Cannon Gray (6-1, 245, Sr.) on the offensive line. Gray and Grant Hastings (5-11, 220, Sr.) share the duty of protecting Hushbeck and opening holes for Peyton Stelling (6-1, 175, So.) in the run game. Gray is a leader on this team and his presence in the locker room should make an impact on the team this season. Stelling figures into the passing game out of the backfield as well. Garrett Hougland (5-11, 185, Sr.) is the go-to wide receiver in the spread, but more receivers are developing giving Hushbeck more options downfield.
DEFENSE
Like offense, the defense returns six starters including Hastings who starts at end for the Cardinals. Hastings will play opposite Will Rogers (5-11, 210, Jr.) in the 4-2-5 scheme Verdigris will employ. Swarming to the ball is linebacker Charter Zeimet (5-10, 175, So.) who is athletic enough to drop in coverage. Look for the defense to use Zeimet in multiple ways. The secondary features Stelling and Jake Patterson (6-0, 160, So.), two players who cover well and have good speed to match opposing receivers. Peyton Morgan (5-10, 200, Sr.) starts on the interior of the D-line where his ability to get up field and disrupt the flow of the offense will be critical. The coaching staff consists of Zach Gray, Ron Fuller, Bobby Jones, Jeremy Gray, and Jake Everett.
8-30 – at Beggs
9-6 – at Sperry
9-13 – vs. Catoosa
9-27 – vs. Jay
10-4 – at Vinita
10-11 – vs. Cleveland
10-17 – at Inola
10-25 – at Berryhill
11-1 – vs. Cascia Hall
11-8 – vs. Sequoyah Claremore
