Josh Kalamaha and Gavin Ball of the Nedrose Cardinals work together during an intrasquad scrimmage at a practice during camp. Sean Williams/MDN

Last year, the Nedrose Cardinals finished with a 5-4 record, with the season ending in a road playoff game against Bowman County. This year, however, the goal to make the playoffs remains the same but the Cardinals are seeking more than just making a playoff appearance.

“Our goal going into every year is we want to be a playoff team. Obviously the higher up we are in getting a home playoff game is always the goal, but at the end of the year we want to be in the playoffs and hope to make a run at it,” head coach Tommy Weidler tells The Minot Daily News.

With their eyes on the playoffs and ideally hosting a playoff game, Weidler says the team will rely on their tough defense to help them win ballgames, with tackling being a strength of the unit. Additionally, the expectation for his team is that they will be smart and physical, and he says the team understands that.

While the Cardinals are looking for more in 2022, Weidler believes that the team laid a good foundation last year, showing signs of what they could be towards the end of the season and that they can use that as a point of emphasis to build off of heading into this season.

“We are trying to build off what we did. We are a run the ball first type of team. I thought last year towards the end of the year we were able to throw the ball and run some play actions, and we are going to continue to do that. We are going to try to run the ball and sprinkle in some passing.”

Gavin Ball will take on the primary ball carrying duties for the Cardinals in 2022, while Josh Kalamaha is returning as the team’s quarterback and safety. Kalamaha, Weidler said, is someone the team will lean on. Another key returner for the Cardinals is Mitch Heinert, who plays both ways at tight end and defensive line and is coming off a First Team All-State season in 2021.

The Cardinals will begin their season on Aug. 26 as they host Shiloh Christian at 7 p.m. Regarding which game Weidler is looking forward to the most, he shared that it’s hard to look past the first one.

“The first one, right? Let’s get that one and see where we are at. The first one is always a good one, then we hit region play and here we go.”

SCHEDULE

Friday, Aug. 26

Shiloh Christian 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 2

@ Stanley 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9

@ Velva 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16

Des-Lacs Burlington 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23

@ Ray/Powers Lake 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30

@ South Prairie 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7

Kenmare 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14

Bishop Ryan 7 p.m.

ROSTER

No. Name Gr. Position

2 Derek Heinert 9 QB-CB

4 Keaton Cole 11 WR-SS

5 Jayce VanWinkle 9 RB-LB

10 Joshua Kalamaha 12 QB-FS

11 Mitchell Heinert 12 TE-LB

17 Jordan Ball 12 WR-CB

18 Bryson Vannett 11 Kicker

20 Kaleb Eggen 9 RB-LB

22 Kaimen Cowden 12 WR-S

35 Samuel Owens 10 WR-FS

40 Gavin Ball 12 RB-LB

42 Adrienne Vollmer 9 TE-DE

52 Jaxon Luther 11 OL-DL

58 Sawyer Bloms 11 OF-DF

60 Chase Ronglien 9 OF-DF

62 Aiden Belnap 9 OF-DF

65 Tristin Hathaway 12 OF-DF

67 Chad Bruce 11 OF-DF

68 Samuel Severson 10 OF-DF

70 Tate Maldonado 10 OF-DF

76 Lawson Rakness 11 OF-DF

78 Kaleb Gray 11 OF-DF