SOUTH HAVEN —A 32-point first quarter allowed Caldwell to pull away early in its 52-6 South Central Border League victory over South Haven Friday night.
The Bluejays controlled the contest from start to finish, recording four touchdowns in the opening period alone. In a game that ended early in the third quarter due to the eight-man mercy rule, Caldwell had a 208-62 advantage in total yardage.
Quarterback Caleb Noyes completed 4-of-8 passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those scores came in the opening quarter — the first on a 34-yard reception by Jude Stow and the second o a 42-yard pass play to Trey Strnad. Up 16-0, Noyes followed that up with a 27-yard run of his own into the end zone. Stow capped off a 32-point opening period with a two-yard dive into the end zone.
Noyes tossed his third touchdown early in the third quarter on a 21-yard pass to Dawson Bristor. Although the Cardinals got on the scoreboard with a three-yard run from Grady Howell, Noyes later returned a punt 41 yards for another score to give Caldwell a commanding 44-6 lead at the break.
To open the second half, the Bluejays put the game away on the opening kickoff as Dru Volavka ran it back 71 yards for the score to close things out.
Caldwell finished with a balanced attack, which also included 103 yards on the ground.
The Bluejays take a 1-0 record into their Sept. 13 home opener against Flinthills. The Mustangs are 0-1 overall following a 21-0 home loss to Udall.
As for the Cardinals — now 0-1 on the season — will hit the road to Dexter on Sept. 13 to take on Cedar Vale/Dexter. The Spartans rolled to a 50-0 victory over Altoona-Midway in their season opener.