The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals scored 54 unanswered points on their way to a 60-18 season-opening win against the Estelline/Hendricks Redhawks on Friday, August 23rd at Rickemen Field in Dell Rapids.
The Redhawks scored on the opening drive of the game for an early 6-0 lead. St Mary also scored on their opening drive in the first quarter to tie the game at 6-6 with just over four minutes to play in the quarter. Estelline/Hendricks scored again with just one second left in the quarter to take a 12-6 lead after one quarter of play.
Connor Libis connected with Weston Geraets for a 50-year touchdown pass on the very first play of the second quarter, and then the Cardinals scored the two-point conversion for a 14-12 lead ten seconds into the second quarter. St Mary went on to score 18 more points which was capped off by a 52-yard screen pass from Libis to Eli Longville to close out the second quarter for a 32-12 halftime lead.
The offense continued to roll for St Mary into the second half. The Cardinals scored 18 more unanswered points and led 60-12 with 6:30 to play in the game. Estelline/Hendricks got a late score to finish the game.
The Cardinals will be at home again on Friday, August 30th when they host the Castlewood Warriors at Rickeman Field.