The Cards faced the Roncalli Royals at Cardinal Stadium last night, Aug. 23, for the last time for at least the next two years.  Fans of both teams filled the bleachers as it was the season opener for the Cards. The highlight for the Cards was their turn around in the second half.

During the first half, the Cards struggled by giving the Royals a 31-0 lead going into halftime. But Southport came out hot in the second half on a kickoff return by senior Ricky Sanders to reduce Roncalli’s lead to 31-7. 

The Cards outscored Roncalli 13-6 in the second half, but fell short with the final score being 37-13. 

“We can’t come out in the second half and play,” Sanders said. “We got to come all game and play.”

The Cards lost in the first half, but regained the momentum in the second half to make the outcome of the game a little different.

“It was a tale of two halves. We made way too many mistakes (and) gave up way too many big plays early on,” head coach Alex Bettag said. “Then, in the second half, it completely changed the outcome … and our guys had some life again, and we just started playing the brand of football that our guys are expected to play.”

Both schools mutually decided to not play each other for the next two years, and there will not be any season openers against the Royals in the near future.

“It’s obviously a great Southside rival,” Bettag said. “So I’m looking forward to the year that we resign the contract.”

Sanders commented on the fact that he was disappointed that his teammates would not be able to play them next year.

“That stings a little bit,” Sanders said. “One, it’s my senior year, and two, I know all these other guys want to beat them, and for them not to be able to play them next year really stung for the whole team.”

The Cards offense was led by senior wide receiver Nilyn Compton with six catches for 80 yards, as well as junior quarterback Gavin Cummins with 13 completions on 25 attempts for 136 yards and junior running back Riley Matlock with 12 rushes for 38 yards. 

The Cards will continue on with the new season playing Perry Meridian next week.