2023 Preview: Cardinal Newman Cardinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Cory Helms first season as coach at Cardinal Newman, he went through spring practice with 20 kids. Some were playing other sports, but at the end of the day, it was difficult to get much done. He played with a 37-player varsity roster last season. The B-Team had 28 players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, Helms expects to have 100 kids in the program. The Cardinals will add a junior varsity program and carry about 43-45 kids on the varsity roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It definitely helps,” Helms said. “We got some transfer kids in and that has created extra excitement on campus. We have to take that and turn it into a plus for us.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That makes Helms and the rest of the Cardinals believe they're poised for a bigger year than they had in going 5-6 last year with a first-round playoff loss to Laurence Manning Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinal Newman program has had only two winning seasons since 2006. If they hope to turn the corner, the Cardinals must be better on defense in 2023. They allowed four touchdowns or more in 10 of the 12 games last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the keys will be less players playing both ways this season. Helms said each side of the ball has five starters returning, it's just a matter of making the pieces fit around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line will be important as well. Three starters return up front in <strong>Carson Atkinson</strong>, <strong>Jack Laird</strong> and <strong>Whenston McLeod</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589049' first='Duncan' last='Skehan']</strong> QB, 2024 – Skehan came on strong last season with 2,100 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. He's a big kid at 6-foot-2, 210-pounds that is well put together. Skehan features a strong arm, and is more experienced this season with going into the same offense for the second straight season. Skehan will have plenty of skill position weapons at his disposal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Troy Seals</strong> RB/WR, 2024 – Seals is a guy that will do a lot of things for the Cardinals. He saw most of his playing time last year as a wide receiver, where he caught 27 passes for 511 yards. He will see more time as a running back this season, his natural position. Seals will also play safety. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='840041' first='David' last='Rodgers']</strong> LB, 2024 – [player_tooltip player_id='840041' first='David' last='Rodgers'] was the Cardinals leading tackler last season with 95 total tackles. He plays fast and physically, and only knows one speed. Helms said there are a lot of times in practice he needs to tell Rodgers to slow down. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braxton Rodgers</strong> LB, 2024 – The other half of the Rodgers twins, Braxton, finished with 85 tackles, which was second on the team to his twin David. The similarities are the same and they should flourish in a revamped defense that will be extremely strong in the back eight in the 3-3-5 alignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139303' first='Cortez' last='Lane']</strong> ATH, 2024 – Lane comes over from Camden and should make an immediate impact as long as he stays healthy. He had nearly 1,400 yards of all purpose yards and 10 rushing and seven receiving touchdowns. Lane is compact at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. He has the ability to take a handoff in the backfield and take it the distance or he can beat coverage and be effective in the receiving game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15058345/637a68ad4206090634026112' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c47d247e574"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Reyes </strong>ATH<strong> – </strong>Reyes ran for 1,310 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry a season ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Busenlehner&nbsp;</strong>TE/LB – Busenlehner was a standout on both sides of the ball. He had 54 tackles on defense and added 22 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359164' first='Amarii' last='King']</strong> WR, 2025 – The transfer from Keenan had 39 receptions for 555 yards and six touchdowns with the Raiders last season. He will be part of a talented offensive cast, but anyone can use a talented 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Furman</strong> LB, 2025 – Furman saw plenty of playing time as a sophomore and he's gotten a little bigger in the offseason. He will play alongside the Rodgers twins so that should free him up to make a lot of plays. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254200' first='Freddie' last='Gillens']</strong> DB, 2025 – Gillens was a triple-jump state champion and is bringing that athleticism to the football field. He should be able to match up with the faster receivers the Cardinals see this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606234' first='Pedro' last='Reyes'] </strong>DB,2025 – Reyes transferred in from New Jersey and has made his presence felt early. Reyes has offers from ACC schools Duke and North Carolina. He's 6-foot, 185 pounds and plays physical but also does a good job of reading quarterbacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->