2025 Team Preview: Lewiston-Altura Cardinals

Since going winless in 2022, the Lewiston-Altura Cardinals have been trending back in the right direction, and in 2024, the team emerged with their first winning record since 2019. Led by a deep backfield and a talented group of young defenders stepping up for the team, the Cardinals finished the regular season 6-2, finishing 3rd in the Mid Southeast-Black division. After winning their first playoff game, the Cardinals lost in the Class 2A section semifinal round to Caledonia 20-12 to finish the season with a 7-3 total record. The Cardinals are expected to move back down to Class A in 2025, where they hope they will maintain their positive momentum in a different conference.   We take a look today at 6 players for the Cardinals that will look to stand out for the team this upcoming season!    A two-way standout at RB and LB, Tyson Prigge makes up for his smaller size with impressive speed and tenacity. Prigge ran for 287 yards on only 13 carries last season and 4 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 15.9 yards per carry. On defense, Prigge recorded 53 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, and an interception. Prigge's speed flashes most on the outside runs, and when he breaks into the open field, it's hard to catch him. Not to mention, Prigge has great vision and the ability to cut back inside effortlessly, and not being afraid to lower the shoulder to run through contact. His skillset translates well on the defense, using his speed to fill the gaps and stop the run, while also showing solid pass coverage ability. Prigge should see a lot more carries as a senior as he moves toward the top of the RB depth chart, and we could expect big things out of him in 2025.     Riley Merchlewitz is a smaller lineman with plenty of dynamic athleticism that could set a foundation toward become quite a game-wrecker in the future. Merchlewitz recorded 49 tackles, 2 TFLs, half a sack, and 2 fumble recoveries as a junior. A solid run-defender who plays low and is able to dip his shoulder and fit through the interior gaps, Merchlewitz was relentless in getting to the ball-carrier, even with the RB going the other direction. Merchlewitz has the speed to beat Tackles around the edge and an impressive amount of jarring force in his hits. A three-year starter for the Cardinals, Merchlewitz is an efficient DE that with a bit of added bulk could be a difference-maker in the future.     The tides will turn for Lincoln Murphy in 2025, who's expected to take a big step forward as a leader for the Cardinals' LB corps. Murphy recorded 36 tackles as a junior. As a RB for his secondary position, he added 87 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries. Murphy is a bigger LB for his size, and he uses that to his advantage, playing with tough physicality in the run game, and combined with his speed makes him a difficult defender to block. Murphy should have a bigger presence on the unit in 2025, while also potentially seeing more reps in the loaded backfield as well.     One of the biggest wild cards of the list, Seth Lubinski is in contention for the starting QB job for Lewiston-Altura this season. While there isn't any film on his football play currently, Lubinski's testing numbers suggest his dynamic athleticism, which includes a 4.7 40 yard time and a 30" vertical jump. A 3-sport athlete who also plays basketball and competes in track, Lubinski posted a 52.6 second 400 meter dash time, showcasing his speed and endurance, which could translate very well at his respective QB and Safety positions on the field. Lubinski could see a chunk of reps on the varsity lineup headed his way in 2025.     Austin Kreidermacher's older brothers Jordyn and William both graduated following the 2024 season, and as the lone member returning this season, Kreidermacher will have a much bigger role for the Cardinals' defense. At LB, Kreidermacher recorded 28 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception last season. Despite being a bit undersized as a LB, Kreidermacher shows a lot of power in his hits, and it's best to not leave him unattended to rush the backfield, as he will make the ball-carrier pay. Kreidermacher showed the ability to do a bit of everything last season in terms of generating pressure, stopping the run, and forcing turnovers against his opponents. Kreidermacher should move up into the starting lineup for the Cardinals' LB corps as they should retain much of the suffocating presence that they had on their opponents from last season.     Despite only appearing in 4 games last season as a reserve DB, Cole Kennedy finished with 2 interceptions, tying for first on the defense. As a deep Safety, Kennedy does a solid job at reading the QB and understanding his assignment, knowing when to pass off receivers to the CB, and getting the undercut to make the pick. Kennedy may see much more playing time for the Cardinals' secondary in 2025 with how well he played in limited reps last season.

Since going winless in 2022, the Lewiston-Altura Cardinals have been trending back in the right direction, and in 2024, the team emerged with their first winning record since 2019. Led by a deep backfield and a talented group of young defenders stepping up for the team, the Cardinals finished the regular season 6-2, finishing 3rd in the Mid Southeast-Black division. After winning their first playoff game, the Cardinals lost in the Class 2A section semifinal round to Caledonia 20-12 to finish the season with a 7-3 total record. The Cardinals are expected to move back down to Class A in 2025, where they hope they will maintain their positive momentum in a different conference.