STAPLES, Minn (KWAD)— If Friday night’s performance is any indication, the Staples-Motley Cardinals will once again be one of the most feared units in Class 2A football, hanging 59 points on the Roseau Rams in a 59-8 victory to improve to 2-0.

The fireworks began immediately when senior Colbe Tappe took the opening kickoff 92 yards to the house. Moments later, Tappe struck again, racing 72 yards on the Cardinals’ first offensive snap. A recovered kickoff on a pooch kick gave senior QB Eli Rutten and company prime field position, and he wasted no time finding Conner Kuhns for a 35-yard touchdown strike.

Staples-Motley’s only empty possession of the first half came on a penalty-marred drive to end the opening quarter (the Cards finished with nine penalties in the game). From there, Rutten connected with Beau Carlson for a 47-yard touchdown, igniting another wave of Cardinal points. Carlson finished with 113 total yards on just six touches.

The Cardinals’ defense kept Roseau in check, limiting the Rams to just 43 first-half yards. Tappe added an interception that set up a Luke Bjerga 4-yard plunge, and freshman Cayden Neisen picked off Roseau quarterback Brayden Krank moments later. Tappe converted the turnover into his third touchdown of the night, finishing with 95 yards on just four carries.

Kuhns also added an interception, and junior Ayden Blue recorded a first-half sack as the defense consistently tilted the field in Staples-Motley’s favor.

With the game well in hand, Staples-Motley’s supporting cast kept the offense humming. Senior Turner Beachy added am 18-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, while Neisen broke free for an 80-yard scoring burst in the fourth.

Rutten played just 18 first-half snaps but made them count, going 6-for-10 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals piled up 202 yards on those 18 plays, not including Tappe’s kickoff return.

Roseau broke through with a late touchdown to avoid the shutout, but by then the outcome was long decided. The win extended Staples-Motley’s regular-season winning streak to 14 games.

The Cardinals hit the road for the first time this season, travelling to Hawley on Friday night to take on the 1-1 Nuggets. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00.

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