Execution key to Cardinals’ game plan

SHINER — Before last week, Shiner St. Paul’s last loss was November 21, 2014. After going undefeated and winning the state title in 2015, the Cardinals came into 2016 with high hopes.

Unfortunately, too many mistakes were made last week for the defending champions to continue their unbeaten streak as they lost to Yorktown 16-6.

“We got to eliminate mistakes on offense with our turnovers,” Cardinals’ head coach Jake Wachsmuth noted. “[In practice we’re] just trying to get better at technique, get better at fundamentals. We didn’t establish anything the other night on offense.”

Tonight the Cardinals will take on a familiar opponent in Bryan St. Joseph, though this season the Eagles are under the direction of new head coach William Hoppers. Despite a new coach, Bryan St. Joseph are still running a spread on offense and their defensive switch they made last season of showing a 4-3 front has stuck for the 2016 season.

Key players for the Eagles include quarterback John Najvar who is “another year older, another year better” according to Wachsmuth. Their skill position players, such as wide receiver Logan Lipscomb, are also a strength.

For Shiner St. Paul to get a win tonight, they’ll have to execute better.

“We haven’t been doing that,” Wachsmuth acknowledged.

Defensively, the Cardinals can’t give up big plays.

“The other night we gave up a big run that led to a touchdown,” he said.

Execution on offense and limiting big plays on defense will be the focus for St. Paul. The Cardinals need just that to get back to their championship form.

Kickoff in Shiner is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.