The Winlock football team opened its season at home Friday afternoon, dropping Game 1 to the Darrington Loggers 56-14.
After kicking off at 4:30 due to a referee shortage, the Cardinals became the first local football team to take the field in the 2023 season. However, things did not get off to the start the Cards had hoped for as they were introduced to Darrington quarterback Hunter Anderson, who accounted for four touchdowns with 200 passing yards.
Anderson walked in from the 1-yard line for the first score of the season, which he followed up with a 44-yard touchdown pass that found Cooper Green for six points.
Just like that the Cards were down 12. Winlock countered to come back within six after a James Cusson 11-yard touchdown run, one of his 10 caries for 52 yards
The Loggers stomped out any chance of a comeback quickly, scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter. The Cards put one last addition on the board at the end of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 22, but it wasn't near enough to spark a comeback.
Darrington scored three times more to ice the game in the second half, finishing off on a running clock. The Cardinals will look to get themselves in check next Saturday during an afternoon game that will see another northern competitor coming to town in Concrete.
