COLONY — A late fourth-quarter stand by the Lancer defense kept their head above water in Crest High’s homecoming Friday night against the Marmaton Valley High Wildcats. THE FIRST quarter was scoreless for both teams, before the Wildcats struck first, with a 16-yard touchdown run from Stevenson midway through the second quarter. On the following drive, Green connected with Clayton Miller over the middle for a touchdown — a run by Green had the Lancers on top 8-6.
The Lancers edged out the win, 14-6, in a close defensive struggle.
The clock was winding down in the fourth quarter, as the Lancers marched down the field and well into the Wildcats’ red zone, holding onto to their eight point lead. Crest quarterback Austin Green’s pass was picked off by Marmaton Valley’s Chance Stevenson, who returned the pick 37 yards to midfield.
After several quick runs up the middle, the Wildcats had turned the tables and were threatening to tie the game with just over two minutes left.
On fourth down, Crest’s Austin Greene knew it was the game-deciding play.
“This is it,” he yelled at his defensive cohorts.
A plug up the middle stalled the Wildcats short of the first down. The Lancers marched past the first down marker on offense and ran out the clock.
Following the break at half, both teams remained scoreless until the Lancers scored with just over one minute remaining in the third quarter. Scoring details were unavailable by press time.
Stevenson led the Wildcats in rushing, with 22 carries for 69 yards, followed by Trent Johnson with 10 carries for 62 yards.
Both squads were plagued with penalties throughout the evening — the Wildcats had 12 for 120 yards and the Lancers were flagged nine times for 85 yards.
The win for the Lancers brings their record to an even 1-1, while the loss drops Marmaton Valley to 0-2. Marmaton Valley travels to Blue Valley Randolph next week, Crest will travel to Uniontown.
Marmaton Valley 6-0-0-0—6
Crest 0-8-6-0—14
Lancer defense holds strong in win
