EudoraNews.com

After two nail-biting games to open their 2008 season, the Eudora Cardinals rode a dominant rushing attack to earn a lopsided 49-7 victory over the Ottawa Cyclones last Friday night.

Eudora (2-1) steamrolled Ottawa (0-3) for a total of 444 yards on the ground and racked up an impressive 516 total yards.

Final score aside, the Cardinals were not in sync for much of the game's first half. Sloppy mistakes and poor communication on multiple plays drew the wrath of Eudora coach Gregg Webb.

"I was very disappointed in our first half," Webb said. "We were not nearly as sharp as we could have been."

The Cardinals scored the game's first touchdown in the opening frame when quarterback Evan Cleveland scampered four yards around the right side of the line. Cleveland scored a second time, answering the Cyclones own touchdown late in the half.

Eudora used a running back by committee that consisted of Ryan Mendel, William Gadberry and Zane Pittman in place of injured tailback Ryan Fisher.

"We wanted to distribute the ball a little more than just giving it to Fisher for 45 carries," Webb said. "But I'd still rather have him back. We've had so many injuries, we've had to bounce some kids around, now we've got wideouts playing tailback."

Fisher's return to the lineup is still in doubt for the next few games.

Pittman was a new wrinkle to the offense after primarily being a defensive player. He looked right at home carrying the ball running for a total of 94 yards on 11 carries. He also scored two touchdowns.

"I played a couple of plays this week, said Pittman. "I talked to coach Webb about it to see if I could fill in. I just wanted to see if I could take a spot."

Webb was not surprised at Pittman's performance.

"I've got to be honest," Webb said. "He took about two snaps in practice, and that was two days ago. He's a good player. He's really a good athlete."

After taking a 21-7 lead into the half off a quarterback keeper from Drew Noble, the final two quarters of action saw the Cardinals assert themselves on the ground and on the scoreboard.

Pittman led a march down the field on Eudora's first drive that put the game at 28-7.

The game got out of hand quickly when Mendel got in on the action late in the third with a 28-yard rush up the middle to push the score to 35-7.

An interception on the Cyclones ensuing possession by Eudora defensive back Christian Richardson, his second of the game, led to a 69-yard touchdown run by Gadberry.

The Cardinals scored twice within 20 seconds of the third quarter's last minute and led 42-7.

However, the second half's performance was not what was stuck in Webb's mind.

"This was a game where we could just let it go, not scheme it too hard and whatever came to us we should have been able to adjust to," he said. "And we didn't. Our guys need to be smarter.

"We're dealing with a different team this year that's not very football smart at some positions. When it's third down and you're on the punt team, you think you might want to pay more attention to the game."

Webb attributed some of the lack of focus to a short week of preparation after playing Monday against De Soto. The team and town were also celebrated homecoming.

"That might have added a little bit to the rustiness or not focusing because you're coming back awful fast," he said. "Homecoming may have been a distraction, but I don't use any of that as excuses."

Winning 49-7 and seeing the defense limit Ottawa to just 117 total yards was still somewhat pleasing to Webb.

"It was a pretty solid effort," Webb said.

The Cardinals will host Paola at 7:00 p.m. Friday at home.