The Steelville Community Football team racked up 699 yards of combined offense and scored 56 points in their season finale in Broken Arrow, Okla., last Friday night. That wasn’t enough to get the victory, however, as Summit Christian Academy put 80 points on the board.
The varsity Steelville Cardinals Community Football team traveled more than 300 miles to Broken Arrow Friday night to battle the Freeman top-20 ranked Summit Eagles. The game got off to a great start when running back Tyler DeClue ran the ball from the Cardinals two-yard line for a 98-yard touchdown with the help of two big blocks, courtesy of Blake Rice and Troy Kennedy. 
That was the last time the Cardinals would lead the game. After that, the nationally recognized Summit offense took the field, and the Cardinals defense was unable to stop them. Through the course of the game, the Eagle offense scored 74 points, with a late game Summit interception adding six more.
The face of the game was changed drastically when the Cardinals lost their feature fullback, Blake Rice, to a knee injury. Rice was running a counter for positive yardage when an Eagle defensive back came in and made contact just above his right knee. In one play, the Cardinals lost a starting fullback and middle linebacker. There's just no way to replace an athlete like Rice.
There were, however, several highlights for the second year Cardinals squad. One of the most memorable came early in the second half, when back-up fullback John Stitles ran the ball 65 yards for a Cardinals touchdown, and made the ensuing two-point try as well. Athletes and fans on both sides gave congratulations for a job well done and it was a truly remarkable end-zone celebration.
Other highlights included a 310-yard rushing performance with three touchdowns by the Cardinals featured running back, junior Tyler DeClue. Also stepping up with solid rushing performance was fullback Zion English, who rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown.
Although the Cardinals were disappointed in not winning the game, they took great satisfaction in a very successful season. The team’s athletes understand what it means to play a ranked opponent, and put up a good show without quitting.  Next year, they hope to graduate to winning these games.
The Cardinals finish up the 2009 season with a solid 8-3 record. They team offers congratulations to its seniors, Kenny Arnold, Zion English, and manager Gabrielle Asher for a fantastic season. Their leadership, contributions, and team play will be sorely missed.