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Cardinals prep for Luverne, look to continue success in playoffs

ABOVE: Fairmont's Hadan Toomer squares up to tackle an Albert Lea ball carrier during a South District football game on Sept. 14 in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals (6-2) are gearing up for the Luverne Cardinals (7-2) on Saturday at Mahoney Field.

Fairmont shut out Luverne in their meeting last season and are aiming to push deeper into the section tournament after earning a first-round bye in the Section 3AAA tournament in an attempt to “take it to the bank.”

“They’re going to come after us with their running game,” said Fairmont football head coach Mat Mahoney. “So, we’re going to have to be able to win the line of scrimmage, and this time of the year you can’t make mistakes. Turnovers are going to be huge this time of the year and you’ve got to capitalize on them when you do get one, so that’s probably the biggest thing.”

Fairmont plans to continue their run based offense with the tandem of Hank Artz and Elijah Johnson, where they have found success almost all season despite the occasional hiccup. Even if the run game is stifled, Faimont has strong talent under center in quarterback Joe Long, who has developed tremendously despite battling a couple of injuries this season. With Nolan Schultze, Brett Williams and Tavian Harvey being threats at the wide receiver position there is no shortage of formations or plays that Fairmont can throw at Luverne.

“We’re going to do what they give us,” said Mahoney. “If they want to load the box, we’re going to get outside. And if they don’t load the box, we’re going to take our shots inside with [Elijah Johnson].”

The last time these teams met last season in the playoffs, Fairmont came away with a 32-0 victory behind a run-pass combination that featured Levi Pooley coming away with 97 yards and two catches that resulted in touchdowns and quarterback Blaze Geiger coming away with a couple of rushing touchdowns and two passing, going 9 for 13 and 125 yards through the air.

Though having a new quarterback under center and missing a few player who graduated, the team has been able to maintain a solid level of offensive production and the defense has made the adjustments to deal with both the run and aerial attack of every team they have faced thus far, and Fairmont has no fear of what they are up against heading into the matchup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Mahoney Field.

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