Spring Mills Heads to Wheeling Park Looking to Avenge Last Season’s Loss

By MOB Sports Media

A Different Cardinals Defense

One of the biggest storylines heading into tonight’s matchup is the Spring Mills defense.

Last season, the Cardinals simply couldn’t find an answer for Wheeling Park running back Brennan Wack. Wack was one of the most dominant running backs in the area during the opening stretch of the season, rushing for an incredible 1,205 yards during Wheeling Park’s first five games.


When Wheeling Park faced Spring Mills in Week 2, Wack continued that dominant run. He carried the ball 31 times for 233 yards and five touchdowns, putting the Cardinals’ defense under constant pressure throughout the game.

Spring Mills had no answer for Wack that night, and his performance played a major role in Wheeling Park’s 33-28 victory over the Cardinals.

But this year’s Spring Mills team is different.

The Cardinals have a linebacker corps that is both physical and fast to the football, and I expect that group to play with a purpose tonight.


They remember what happened last season.

Don’t be surprised to see the Spring Mills linebackers flying downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage and making sure there isn’t a repeat performance from Wheeling Park’s rushing attack.

This time around, the Cardinals will be looking to make a statement.

Cardinals Looking to Take Their Show on the Road

Spring Mills couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the season.

The Cardinals dominated defensively against Jefferson while getting nearly everything they wanted offensively in their 49-19 victory.

Now, they’ll have to prove they can take that same level of execution on the road.

The Cardinals showed last week that they can create problems defensively and put points on the scoreboard. Tonight, however, they’ll be facing a Wheeling Park offense that showed plenty of balance in its season opener.

Wheeling Park Brings a Balanced Offense

Wheeling Park enters tonight’s game coming off a Week 1 victory, and quarterback Jay Bordas had an outstanding performance through the air.


Bordas completed 23 of 29 passes, good for a 79% completion percentage, while throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns.

However, he also had some mistakes, throwing two interceptions and losing one fumble.

The Wheeling Park offense also received a strong contribution from running back Hunter Miller, who rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.

And if the Cardinals want to slow down Wheeling Park, they’ll have to deal with a talented group of receivers.

Wheeling Park’s receiving corps had an impressive Week 1 performance, with five different receivers catching passes. Four of those five receivers finished with more than 60 receiving yards.

That kind of production makes Wheeling Park difficult to defend because the Cardinals can’t simply focus on one player.

Defense vs. Balance

On paper, this matchup has all the makings of a really good football game.

Spring Mills comes into the game after dominating Jefferson defensively and putting up 49 points offensively.


Wheeling Park, meanwhile, showed last week that it can move the football through the air and on the ground.

The biggest question tonight is simple:

How will the Spring Mills defense hold up against a balanced Wheeling Park offense on the road?

The Cardinals’ linebackers will be especially important. After what happened against Brennan Wack last season, they’ll have plenty of motivation to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.

But this isn’t last year’s Spring Mills team.

This is a Cardinals defense that looks faster, more physical and more aggressive.

And tonight, they’ll get their first opportunity to prove it on the road.

The Bottom Line

Spring Mills has already made a statement with its 49-19 season-opening victory.

Now comes the test.

A road matchup against Wheeling Park gives the Cardinals a chance to show that last season’s 33-28 loss is exactly that last season.

The Cardinals want to start this season 2-0, but they’ll have to earn it against a Wheeling Park team that appears to be much more balanced offensively than the Jefferson team they faced last week.


One thing is certain: this should be a physical football game from start to finish.

Kickoff is tonight.

MOB Sports Media will be there covering the action.


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