By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
ROSENDALE - It's somewhat commonplace for a team's coaches and players who are coming off of a strong season to say 'we're going to pick up where we left off from last year.'
You'd maybe expect that sentiment from North Andrew football. The Cardinals had another terrific season in 2020, going 13-1 and finishing as state runner-up in Class 1.
It marked the Cardinals' 13th appearance in the state final - all since 1993. But in 2021, North Andrew is not thinking about last year all that much.
"So, this year our quote is going to be 'you are not entitled to pick up from where you left off,'" said junior lineman Jacob Chittum. "We're leaving last year in the past and we're looking forward to everything. It's one day at a time."
North Andrew, like everyone else, had their first day of fall practice Monday. The Cardinals practiced in the late afternoon with temperatures in the mid-90s. Even if the conditions weren't ideal, the players were happy to be back on the gridiron.
"Getting back out here is pretty nice," said Chittum. "It's been a long summer. Hot, miserable every day. So, getting back out here is going to be nice. Just getting back into the groove of things."
North Andrew comes back, having lost six all-state seniors from last season - QB/LB Carson Thomas, TE/LB Clayton Linville, DE Brewer Wheeler, WR/Returner Keaton Hannah, DL Wynston Walker and OL Kaleb Chittum.
The Cardinals do, however, return a pair of all-state performers in Chittum and RB/LB Hayden Ecker, who ran for over 1,700 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.
North Andrew also returns two all-conference/district players in LB Dawson Eychaner and FB Andrew Goff.
Junior Aiden Miller, who's playing center and defensive end, has high confidence the Cardinals can make another deep run in the postseason and perhaps win what they didn't last year.
"We've been working all summer," said Miller. "I mean, what happened at the end of last season wasn't what we wanted. So, we're trying to do that thing again this year, but actually win this year, you know?"
The first few days of practice can be a learning curve, and the depth chart will start to take shape once the pads go on.
"Once we start hitting, we're going to realize who's going to be good at their positions and everything," Chittum said.
North Andrew opens their season on August 27 at King City/Union Star, though they'll take part in a jamboree with DeKalb and Pattonsburg/Gilman City/North Harrison the week prior.
Miller says the jamboree provides a great opportunity to go up against other teams and showcase a team's capabilities before the real stuff starts.
"I like the jamboree," Miller said. "You can see everyone's full potential there. You're putting everything out there on that jamboree. I count it as my first game honestly. I put everything out there and get everything done. Try to show everyone what we mean this year, you know?"
The Cardinals have home games against Bishop LeBlond, Pattonsburg/Gilman City/North Harrison, Northland Christian and Albany. They travel to St. Joseph Christian, Stanberry, Worth County/Northeast Nodaway and Southwest Livingston - the team they lost to in last year's state title.
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