SODA SPRINGS - The Soda Springs football team crushed Ririe 21-0 Friday at home and exceeded its win total from last season in its very first game of the 2009 campaign.

"It's huge for us," Soda Springs assistant coach Scott Gambles said. "That really has got us on the right foot. I think it will give these kids a lot of confidence going into our next game next week."

That would be at Bear Lake. But for now, the Cardinals (1-0) can savor an excellent performance by both their offense and defense. Tanner Passey scored on a 8-yard run in the first quarter, and Easton Erickson returned an interception 50 yards in the second quarter to give the Cardinals a 14-0 lead going into halftime.

Overall, quarterback Kaedyn Duncan completed seven of his nine passes for 65 yards, while six Cardinals combined to churn out 140 yards on the ground.

The efficient showing on offense meant Soda Springs' defense didn't have to spend too much time on the field.

"It was really an effort on both sides of the ball," Gambles said. "The defense played good, but the offense did, too."