By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
Despite entering the playoffs at 3-5, the Ell Saline Cardinals have an excellent opportunity to pick up a win in the opening round when they take on the 2-6 Elkhart Wildcats this week.
Ell Saline started the season 2-0 before a brutal stretch of five games against top ten opponents.
“I don’t know if Ell Saline has ever had a five game stretch against that many teams in the top ten,” head coach Joe Roche said. “But we survived and now we’re getting healthy.”
The Cardinals will now turn their attention to a five hour road trip to Elkhart and a date with a Wildcat team that has had its fair share of struggles in 2020 as well.
“We’re all excited about this five hour trip, the guys are seeing it as an adventure,” Roche said. “We know that when we get off the bus we’re going to have to really bring it.”
Elkhart’s two wins this season have come against teams with one combined win in all of 2020.
The Wildcats are led by running back Lance Addington, who has rushed for 734 yards on 91 carries and six touchdowns.
Elkhart also has a very young defensive core, with no seniors among their four leading tacklers.
“Hopefully we can put our skill guys in the right places and match them up against people on Elkhart that we feel we can take advantage of,” Roche said.
For Ell Saline to come away with the win, the Cardinals will need another good performance from quarterback TJ Morrical and multi-faceted threat Keenan Drees.
The Cardinals will also need to remain disciplined on offense, something the team struggled mightily with during their losing streak.
“We need to be tougher at the point of attack, and we can’t afford anymore drive ending penalties,” Roche said.
Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7pm on Friday night. The road for the winner will not be an easy one, as awaiting them will be a 7-1 Smith Center team fresh off a bye week.