Bismarck Century three-sport athlete Cade Feeney’s senior year didn’t end the way he thought it would
BISMARCK, N.D. (BVM) — Cade Feeney’s junior year of football ended in a loss to Bismarck High School in the Division AAA state championship that went down to a final play. That same year, Feeney was named Gatorade North Dakota Baseball Player of Year and led the Patriots to their second state championship in a row.
Feeney was looking to cap off his high school career with even more memorable seasons. He hoped to win a state championship in football to avenge the loss that ended his junior year and have a good basketball season, the last one he’d play competitively.
Finally, he wanted to go for a third straight state championship in baseball, double down as the best player in North Dakota and break some school records before heading to North Dakota State University to play Division I baseball.
Senior year couldn’t have started any better.
“Going into our senior season, us seniors made sure that we were going to go in guns blazing, ready to go,” said Feeney on how the football team approached the season. “The team had been working all summer and it paid off.”
With Feeney at the helm of the offense as quarterback, the Patriots stormed through the regular season undefeated. They returned to the state championship game and beat West Fargo Sheyenne, 10-0. Afterward, Feeney was awarded offensive first team all-state honors.
Then it was on to basketball where Feeney averaged 21 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals. In a highly-competitive Western Dakota Conference, Feeney was named to the all-conference team and second team all-state.
“It was a fun season overall, with all the guys especially with the road trips,” Feeney said. “That’s what makes it more fun.”
Then his senior year took an unexpected turn. The baseball season was suspended and then canceled due to COVID-19.
“Now you’re looking back on it you’re thinking, ‘wow those were the days’,” said Feeney.
“This was their last opportunity and that was just swept out from underneath his feet,” Century baseball coach Kent Schweigert said. “It’s not just baseball that we’re missing; it’s about being around each other.”
For the seniors, it was the end of an era. According to Feeney, they have been together since they were 10 years old. Schweigert knew this was a close-knit group that had climbed the ranks together. The senior class was ready to add another title to the Patriots’ legacy.
“For our senior year, that run was going to be topping on the cake,” Feeney said.
Even when it was uncertain whether or not he would get to play his final baseball season, Feeney stepped up as a leader.
“There’s no doubt,” Schweigert said. “He’s been working out since day one since we haven’t been able to go. He gets a bunch of the other kids to go out and hit with him. He’s able to lead this group and keep them focused.”
Feeney’s final season was officially canceled, but even with his high school baseball career over, he’s still able to enjoy what he loves most about the sport he’ll continue to play in college.
“I love baseball because of all the memories you make with your friends,” he said.
