August 27, 2015 at 1:09 p.m.
Cardinals open season with win
The longtime assistant took over the Cardinals program this season and had an immediate plus with the return to action by junior quarterback JR Linscheid. Linscheid had his sophomore season ended early by an injury but is in full swing this season.
He proved that Saturday when he led the Cardinals to a 29-0 win over River Ridge at UW-Platteville stadium during the Six Rivers Conference shootout. Linscheid ran for three touchdowns and passed for another in the shutout win.
He got the Cardinals started with a first quarter score when he capped off a drive with an 11 yard run to score. He then handed off to Adam Wolfe for the two point conversion and an 8-0 lead.
Linscheid helped Highland to a pair of scores in the second quarter. The first score came on a 40 yard run and the second on a 49 yard pass to Evan Rusch. Linscheid then ran in the conversion.
He put the fourth score on the board in the third frame when he ran in from the 12. Freshman Drew Hennessey then kicked the extra point.
Linscheid completed five of six passes for 129 yards and one touchdown. He ran for 97 more on 11 carries. Wolfe was the leading rusher for Highland with 104 on 15 carries.
Hennessey was welcomed to varsity football with a strong defensive performance. He had three solo tackles, one assisted with three tackles for loss. He also had a solo sack, and an assisted sack.
Hennessey also kicked off for the Cardinals and averaged 46.6 yards on five kick-offs. He also punted and averaged 35 yards on one punt.
The first Highland touchdown came after Wolfe, Linscheid and Hennessey carried the ball from the 40 until Linscheid scored.
The second score was set up by a pass to Rusch and carries by Wolfe and Linscheid.
The third score came on the first play after River Ridge punted to the 45.
The final tally came after Linscheid hit Rusch with a pass he carried to the nine.
The Cards are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Belmont to meet the Braves.
