The Cardinal Newman Cardinals head coach Corey Helms summed it up in one sentance. “We are far from where we want to be but we are also far from where we werew a year ago.”
In 2022, the Cardinals expectation is to compete deep in playoffs and they have teh talent to do it.
On offense it all begins with senior running back AJ Reyes (5’9,175). Last season, Reyes had 945 rushing yards in 8 games and over 1000 all purpose yards. One opposing SCISAA coach said Reyes was “the best running back in SCISAA”. Joining him on offense is junior quarterback Duncan Skehan (6’0,205), one of the team’s best athletes TE Logan Busenlehner (6’5,205), who was all-state in football and a 2x all state baseball player, WR Jahl Garvin-MIngo (5’8,170) and offensive linemen Michael Leonard (6’2,245), Aiden Jeffcoat (6’2,255) and sophomore Jack Laird (6’4,270). Two transfers who will impact this offense are senior OL Logan Locklear (6’5,290) and WR/DB Ja’Khaydin Hardin (5’7,180), who rushed for 800 yards at Airport in 2021.
Defensively, many of the same faces will appear. Busenlehner will play at LB, Garvin-Mingo will see time at corner, Leonard will play up front on defense and sophomore Preston Furman (5’10,170) will play at linebacker.
Junior athlete Troy Seal (5’9,170) will play both sides of the ball, as well.
“I’m pleased with the way workouts have gone this off-season,” said Helms. “Our expectation is to be in a position to win every game we play.”
