Millington Rolls Past Laker, Remains Unbeaten at 3-0
Cardinals pile up 388 rushing yards and force three turnovers in a 43-16 victory at Furno Field
MILLINGTON — The Millington Cardinals continued their impressive start to the 2026 football season Friday night, dominating on the ground and making big plays defensively on their way to a 43-16 victory over Laker at Furno Field.
Millington's rushing attack proved to be the difference-maker, as the Cardinals piled up 388 yards on the ground, averaging 9.5 yards per rushing attempt.
The victory moves Millington to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Thumb Conference White Division play.
Laker opened the scoring when Lucas Wehner drilled a 45-yard field goal, but Millington responded with a huge second quarter.
Second Quarter Surge
The Cardinals scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter to take control of the game.
Quarterback Layden DeLong connected with Liam Kreger for a 12-yard touchdown before finding Brenden Wascher for an 11-yard scoring strike.
Millington's defense then joined the scoring party.
Ben Hitsman scooped up a Laker fumble and raced 32 yards for a touchdown. DeLong added the two-point conversion on the ground, giving the Cardinals a 20-3 halftime advantage.
Millington carried that momentum into the second half.
Cardinals Keep Their Foot on the Gas
Drake Terwilliger opened the third quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run. DeLong followed by connecting with Brandon Dickie on the conversion pass, extending the lead to 28-3.
Laker answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Benjamin LeVasseur to Lucas Lesoski, but Millington quickly responded.
Hudson Myers broke through for a 14-yard touchdown run, and Eli Staffne added the conversion run to put the Cardinals ahead 36-9 after three quarters.
DeLong provided another explosive play in the fourth quarter, breaking loose for a 44-yard touchdown run. Evan Kreger added the extra point.
Laker's Matthew Murdoch scored on a 2-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, accounting for the final points of the night.
🏈 Game Leaders
Rushing
Drake Terwilliger: 132 yards, TD — 13 carries
Layden DeLong: 121 yards, 2 TDs — 11 carries
Eli Staffne: 80 yards — 5 carries
Millington Team: 388 rushing yards
Passing
Layden DeLong: 3-of-5, 33 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving
Brenden Wascher: 2 receptions, 21 yards, TD
Liam Kreger: 1 reception, 12 yards, TD
Defense
Brason Trato: 10 tackles
Drake Terwilliger: 9 tackles, 2 interceptions
Collin Milostan: 7 tackles
Ben Hitsman: 32-yard fumble-return TD
Scoring Summary
Key Takeaways
1. Millington's rushing attack was dominant
The Cardinals averaged 9.5 yards every time they ran the football, with Terwilliger, DeLong and Staffne combining for 333 yards.
2. DeLong made an impact in multiple ways
DeLong accounted for three touchdowns through rushing and passing, producing 121 yards and two rushing scores while throwing two more touchdown passes.
3. Defense created momentum-changing plays
Millington forced turnovers and turned them into points, highlighted by Hitsman's 32-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Terwilliger also intercepted two passes.
4. The second quarter changed the game
After Laker took an early 3-0 lead, Millington exploded for 20 points in the second quarter and never surrendered control.
5. Cardinals remain unbeaten
At 3-0, Millington has opened conference play with a victory and will now turn its attention toward another home matchup.
What's Next?
The Cardinals return to Furno Field next Friday when they host Caro.
Millington vs. Caro
📍 Furno Field
📅 Friday, Sept. 18
⏰ 7 p.m.