High school football season preview: Orting Cardinals
The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Orting Cardinals this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
ORTING CARDINALS
Head coach: Cody Baskett, second year
2024 results: 9-2, Class 2A State Round of 16
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Ashton Bruce, Pistol Wing-T
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Cody Baskett, 4-2-5
OUTLOOK
By all accounts, Orting thrived last fall — nine wins, a district playoff victory over Toppenish, and a trip to the Class 2A state tournament for the third time in four years — yet the Cardinals walked away hungry for more.
Postseason pushes are the expectation for second-year head coach Cody Baskett’s squad, and a group of 14 returning starters should keep the wins coming for one of the 2A SPSL’s heavyweights.
“Our seniors… They grew up with that (youth program) tradition of playing good football,” Baskett said. “It’s been ingrained in them from a very young age.
“We have a lot of talent. Just trying to play selfless football.”
Senior RB Carson McCall headlines the running back room in Orting’s Pistol Wing-T offense once again, a 230-pound workhorse with 12 touchdowns in 11 games a year ago. Senior RB Israel Shrode figures to build on a seven-touchdown campaign in 2024, and the Cardinals return junior speedster Shiron Seniours from injury — ideal complements to McCall’s bruising playstyle.
“(Carson’s) a huge back that’s tough to tackle,” Baskett said. “He loves contact, and we really like when we get our hand in the dirt playing smash-mouth football.
“His leadership is crucial. He has great influence with kids, having them do it the right way. He’s just taken a big step forward in the offseason, being that guy.”
Orting’s Kyle Curtis rises to QB1 following the graduation of Zach Gemar, a dual-threat who adds another layer of creativity and deception to the Wing-T scheme. Liam Fogarty and Giovanni Eddinger anchor the D-Line, run-stuffers for one of the league’s stingier defenses.
“We’re much more disciplined than we were last year at this time,” Baskett said. “The older guys know the expectations, know the standards, and hold each other to high standards because that’s what we expect.”
Orting (9-2, 6-1) was the 2A SPSL’s runner-up in 2024, its lone league loss to undefeated-champion Franklin Pierce. There’s a shot at revenge on Sept. 26 when Orting visits their Cardinal counterparts for a Week 4 rivalry in South Tacoma.
“You’ve got great teams out there (in the 2A SPSL) — Franklin Pierce, Fife, Steilacoom,” Baskett said. “Pretty much every year, it’s a dog fight. We expect to be toward the top, for sure.”
KEY PLAYERS
RB Carson McCall, sr.
OL/DL Giovanni Eddinger, sr.
DL Liam Fogarty, jr.
RB Israel Shrode, sr.
WR Mason Belvedere
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: vs. Life Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Bremerton, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: vs. Fife, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: at Franklin Pierce, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: vs. Steilacoom, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9: at Foss, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: at Clover Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23: vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30: at Eatonville, 7 p.m.
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM.
