ELIZABETH — The Elizabeth Cardinals boast an offense that is versatile and fun to watch.
With several talented runners, a good mix of receivers and a seasoned quarterback, Elizabeth mixes the run and pass as well as any squad in the small-school classifications. Yet the Cardinals know it is their defense that is the backbone of their school record-setting team, a claim that will receive no argument from the Frederick Warriors.
Elizabeth earned its first berth in the state semifinals with a 40-0 drubbing of the Warriors in a Class 3A quarterfinal match Saturday. The top-seeded Cardinals (12-0) will visit Vista Ridge in a semifinal showdown next Saturday.
“Our defense, we studied (Frederick) all day every day as much as we could,” said Elizabeth senior Dalton Taylor, the Cardinals’ quarterback who scored touchdowns on a 1-yard run and a 5-yard fumble return. “We have a good offense, and some good backs and some good athletes, but we focus on defense. Defense is what wins our games.”
The formidable Cardinals defense has allowed only seven points in two playoff games and has surrendered eight points or less in each of their past eight games.
Elizabeth limited Frederick to five first downs — two occurred in the game’s final drive when a running clock was in effect — and 74 total yards. The Cardinals’ defense sacked Frederick quarterback Matt Lamb three times, recovered two fumbles, and forced Lamb’s nine completions to account for only 43 yards.
While Elizabeth was throttling the Warriors’ attack, Frederick was unable to slow the Cardinals’ dynamic offense. Brad Goldsberry rushed for two touchdowns while Matt Biery ran for 111 yards and opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
“We play great defense, and we knew we would coming into this year,” Elizabeth coach Chris Cline said. “We make sure the offense does enough to grind out time and grind out points. We have some good offensive kids, but we don’t do anything special. Our defense is where we’re at.”
Frederick 0 0 0 0 — 0
Elizabeth 6 20 7 7 — 40E — Biery 2 run (kick failed); E — Goldsberry 7 run (pass failed); E — Goldsberry 2 run (Goldsberry run); E — D. Taylor 5 fumble return (kick failed); E — D. Taylor 1 run (S. Taylor kick); E — Butler 1 run (S. Taylor kick).
