Millington sheds inexperienced mantle, leans on storied tradition to regain spot atop the Tri-Valley East

FRANKENMUTH, MI Millington wasnt supposed to be here.

Defeating rival Frankenmuth on the road 27-13 on Friday, Sept. 19 and putting an end to the Eagles 18-game conference winning streak. It has the Cardinals heading into the midpoint of the season in the drivers seat at 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the Tri-Valley Conference East Division.

We heard everyone talking how were small and young this year, Cardinals junior Koltyn Sebert said. But every day in practice, were working hard. Them young kids out there are blocking their butts off.

Millington graduated a lot up front on the offensive line, but returned skilled players Caleb Wascher, Chase Maxon and Sebert. That group found holes in the Frankenmuth defense, created by that inexperienced offensive line, and rode them to a win over the rival Eagles.

It was Frankenmuths first conference loss since a 28-12 setback to the Cardinals on Sept. 30, 2011.

It looks good for the future, I guess you could say, Millington coach Roger Bearss said. But every game, youve still got to go out and play. You play game-by-game. Hopefully we can take what we learn from here that youre going to have some battles.

The Cardinals faced battles with a couple thunderous hits from the Frankenmuth defense in the first half, and they faced a few more in the second half when a couple fumbles put the Eagles in scoring position on multiple possessions in a two-score game.

The results of those battles showed a Millington team that has penalty problems at times and can shoot itself in the foot with turnovers, but also one that has skill on both sides of the ball to put up points and force game-clinching turnovers in a hostile environment.

Thats what Cardinals faithful have become accustomed to seeing in a small community with a large football tradition.

Millington has had experienced teams and young groups. It has had teams that have a ton of skill and teams that have to grind each night. But the one thing Millington has consistently had is winners.

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Millington sheds inexperienced mantle, leans on storied tradition to regain spot atop the Tri-Valley East