Defending Class AA Runner-Up Staples-Motley Football Opening 2025 Hot

Reigning Class AA runner-up Staples-Motley football is following up their best season since 1988 on an absolute heater so far, opening the year 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 193-49.

Now entering the back half of their season, the Cardinals have been showcasing a versatile and unpredictable offense, sharing the wealth while keeping the opposition on their toes.

“A man goes down, we’re stepping up next person,” said senior wide receiver and safety Peyton Jares. “We have a ton of athletes on this team that can pick up and start anywhere.”

“I would say that’s probably our biggest strength going into this year, is we’re kind of an all-around game,” stated senior quarterback Eli Rutten. “We definitely were last year, but we had some bigger weapons last year. Now this year, it’s more of a spread-around, everybody’s good athletes in good areas, and we’re looking sharp.”

Similar to last year’s roster, the Cardinals are producing both on the ground and in the air. They’ve amassed over 20 rushing touchdowns while having more than 10 different players record a reception.

“I think it helps a lot, actually,” said Conner Kuhns, a senior wide receiver and safety. “The corners, every time we run a play-action play, they just get sucked in because you kind of have to. Getting the ball around so much, then people can’t just target one guy, that we can throw to so many people and just keep everyone in the game.”

In addition to the Cardinals maintaining a dynamic approach, last year’s run through both Section 6AA and Class AA showed the team how staying composed and minimizing unforced errors can ultimately pay dividends.

“I would just say our focus, everyday at practice,” Rutten said. “We got down towards the later end of the season, we knew we were playing the best of the best, so we had to prepare like we were playing the best of the best.”

“A lot of us, I think, have learned to just keep our cool more instead of lashing out and getting dumb penalties,” added Kuhns. “If we clean those up, I think everything will just go better.”

Staples-Motley football is putting up nothing but numbers early in 2025, averaging over 420 total yards of offense a game so far. But extending their season far past October will also be contingent on remaining physical in defense and staying ready for any challenge put before them.

“Physicality is definitely a big focus as we get towards the end of the year,” Rutten emphasized. “We know we have a tough section and a lot of good teams, that we’re just focused every single week knowing that any of those teams can beat us. We just got to show up and play our best game.”

The Cardinals, who are currently averaging over 48 points a game, look to stay undefeated as they face 3-1 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton on the road this Friday.