HAWLEY, Minn (KWAD) — Freshman Cayden Neisen did a little of everything for Staples-Motley on Friday night, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and adding a field goal and two extra points as Staples-Motley rolled past Hawley, 43–14.

The Cardinals blitzed the Nuggets early behind sophomore playmaker Beau Carlson, who scored twice in the first quarter—once on the ground and again on a 62-yard strike from quarterback Eli Rutten. Carlson finished with 106 total yards on just six touches.

Rutten was sharp all evening, completing 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards, while the ground game wore down Hawley behind a physical front. Colbe Tappe punched in two rushing touchdowns, and Luke Bjerga finished with 53 rushing yards and a score.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-0 lead after Carlson’s six-yard TD run on the first possession of the game. The Cards took the ball back on the ensuing drive, forcing a Hudson Midthun fumble, which was recovered by Adrian Gomez. After going three-and-out, Niesen kicked a 25-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0. On the Cards’ next possession, Carlson scored his second touchdown of the quarter, taking a screen pass from Rutten 62-yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

Bjerga scored a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter to extend the lead to 23-0. Hawley finished off a complete drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hudson Midthun to Linkoln Midthun. After a successful 2-pt conversion, the Nuggets cut the lead to 23-8.

Niesen housed the ensuing kickoff 80-yards to take the momentum back from the Nuggets.

After Hawley averaged 200 yards of rushing offense per game in their win against Pelican Rapids and their loss to Warroad, the Cardinals held the Nuggets to 94 total rushing yards. The Cards racked up 221 rushing yards on 39 carries.

Now 3-0, the Cardinals get ready to host the 2-1 Perham Yellowjackets for Homecoming on Friday night at 7:00.

SCORING SUMMARY