ABOVE: Fairmont Cardinals receiver Nolan Schultze turns the corner on a Tri-City defender in a varsity football game Friday afternoon in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals’ run game was dominant Friday afternoon in the season opener as they ran past the Tri-City United Titans for a 42-0 shutout in a South District football game.

Scoring early and often, the Cardinals overwhelmed the Titans’ defense.

“You know, we’re a very big and powerful, experienced offensive line, and then you throw in Hank Artz leading the way for EJ [Elijah Johnson],” said Cardinals varsity football head coach Mat Mahoney. “EJ’s just, he’s a bowling ball, he’s hard to bring down, and what makes him a special running back is that his feet don’t stop, and his feet just keep on going, and it’s just super hard to bring him down, and he’s so strong in his lower half. It’s fun to watch.”

The Cardinals came out of the gate fast after two big runs by running back Elijah Johnson put them in scoring position early. Cardinals quarterback Joe Long then took it to the end zone himself for the first score of the game.

The defense held the Titans after and forced a punt, after which the Cardinals’ run game continued to pick apart the Titans’ defense, leading to an Elijah Johnson touchdown run to make the score to 14-0. A dropped ball by the Titans on the kickoff gave the ball right back to the Cardinals, who capitalized on a pass to Nolan Schultze that resulted in a touchdown, ending the first quarter 21-0.

At the start of the second quarter, the Cardinals’ defense again shut down the Titans, gaining solid field position off a short punt that set the offense up on the 11-yard line. They didn’t hesitate to take advantage, putting the ball back in the hands of Johnson, who found the end zone on an 11-yard run for his second touchdown of the afternoon. Down 28-0, the Titans’ offense stalled out, giving the ball back to the Cardinals. Johnson then found the end zone for a third time, making the score 35-0. Another quick four-and-out by the Titans set up Isaiah Lebbi for his first rushing touchdown of the day, which closed out the scoring in the game at 42-0.

An uneventful shortened third quarter added nothing to the scoreboard for either team heading into the fourth, which was more of the same, a defensive battle back and forth until the final whistle brought the game to a close.

The Cardinals next game is at 6 p.m. Friday against Belle Plaine.