GAINING GROUND — Fairmont Cardinals quarterback Zach Jorgensen (with football) breaks a tackle attempt by New Ulm’s Jaden Miller (35) and rumbles toward the Eagles’ Marqavion Haefner (11) during high school action Friday night at Mahoney Field. The Cardinals’ Noah Rahm (70) and Sawyer Tordsen (65) watch the play. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Student-athletes, parents, coaches, officials and local media members must be able to adapt their respective schedules at a moment’s notice when involved in high school sports during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Tonight’s 7 p.m. kickoff between the Fairmont Cardinals and the St. Peter Saints during the next-to-last regular-season football game at Floyd B. Johnson Field in St. Peter is a prime example of the above fact of COVID-19 life.

“We missed the first game of our (modified) schedule this fall due to having 30 of our players quarantined as a precaution,” said St. Peter head coach Brian Odland, whose Saints (1-2) enter tonight’s game against the Cardinals (1-1) on the heels of a 36-7 victory over Worthington last Friday night.

After being shut out by Marshall 35-0 on Oct. 16, St. Peter bounced back a week later to battle New Ulm down to the wire in a 22-12 loss.

Senior receiver Ethan Grant then caught two passes from junior quarterback Kole Guth for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and added six more points on the strength of a punt return to the house to highlight the Saints’ 29-point triumph over Worthington on Oct. 30.

“Offensively, we’re just trying to find our identity,” said Odland. “We didn’t have a completion against Marshall, but we’ve gradually morphed into the (shotgun) since then. We’re still trying to get our passing game on the rails, and hopefully we can continue to improve in that area.”

Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney, whose program didn’t get to play its first two games due to high active COVID-19 numbers in the county in October, agreed with his coaching counterpart.

“St. Peter has made a number of changes from the beginning of the season to now,” said Mahoney. “They’ve gone from (their quarterback) under center to the shotgun, and have gotten better each week.

“Offensively, they want to run the ball, but their quarterback (Guth) throws a nice ball. He can go long as they demonstrated against Worthington.”

Mahoney said Fairmont’s defensive secondary will have to “stay over the top of him (Grant)” and make sure the 6-foot, 174-pounder “does not break loose.”

“Defensively, we need to work on wrapping up when we tackle,” said Mahoney. “We faced a tough-to-tackle running back in (New Ulm’s) Cole Ranweiler last Friday night, so that probably helps us get ready for this week’s game.”

Slotback Vinny Guappone delivered the Saints’ longest run from the line of scrimmage for a TD against the Trojans, while Jamarion Robinson — an outside linebacker in St. Peter’s rare 3-5 alignment — produced a pick-6 last Friday night.

“Defensively, we’ve transitioned to an odd front and were able to put some pressure on Worthington’s quarterback last week, but we’ll have our hands full facing (Fairmont’s Zach) Jorgensen (tonight),” said Odland. “He can hurt you either running or throwing the ball.”

The 6-3, 180-pound Jorgensen rushed for a team-best 109 yards and two TDs, while throwing for 156 more yards and four scores in a 42-20 victory over New Ulm last Friday night at Mahoney Field in Fairmont.

Odland knows the Saints’ secondary will have to keep their eyes on Cardinals’ junior receiver Eli Anderson, who’s made 11 catches for 214 yards and five TDs in two games this fall.

“He (Anderson) can catch the ball in traffic, and he’s pretty good on the defensive side of the ball, too,” Odland said in reference to Anderson’s three interceptions.

Sophomore Aden Welcome will make his starting varsity debut at linebacker as the Cardinals still have fullback/linebacker Tyson Kube (sprained MCL) and cornerback/receiver Jake Harris (hip flexor) on the mend.

“We (coaching staff) noticed Fairmont puts a lot of speed on the field, especially on the defensive side, so we’ll have to be on our toes,” said Odland. “We’ll line up and see what happens.”

“St. Peter has traditionally been a tough place to play, but we’ll see what we can accomplish a day earlier than usual this week,” said Mahoney.