YATES CENTER — In a battle between wildcats Friday night, the cats from Marmaton Valley High football team came away with its third win of the season.
Only needing two quarters to get the job done, Marmaton Valley (3-2) blew out winless Yates Center 52-0.
After a long drive, running back Daylen Houk put the first points of the night on the board for Marmaton Valley with a three-yard touchdown run with 9:58 to go in the first quarter. Houk’s running score was just the beginning of strong night on the ground for the Wildcats.
Less than one minute of game time later after a brief offensive series by Yates Center, quarterback Zack English added to the lead using his arm, throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to receiver Lucas Hamlin with 9:07 left in the quarter.
Marmaton Valley didn’t let off the gas. With 7:04 left in the first, Cole Becker took a handoff 46 yards for a touchdown, putting his team ahead 22-0. English’s pass to Houk put another two points on the board for Marmaton Valley.
Although that was all it took to seal the victory, the Wildcats added four more scores before the half, three in the second quarter.
“Our back ran hard all night long,” said Kent Houk, Marmaton Valley head coach. “The linemen gave them a hole and they hit it.”
Coach Houk credited a tough week of practice for the victory.
“We told the kids that its district time and its the start of a new season for them,” he said. “They worked hard this week and we made them sweat a lot.”
Offensive standouts for Marmaton Valley were Becker with 113 rushing yards on five carries and English threw for 40 yards and two touchdowns. Becker also lead the way on defense, with nine tackles and an interception.
Marmaton Valley 30-22-x-x—52
Yates Center 0-0-xx—0
Marmaton Valley — Houk 3-yd run (Houk run)
Marmaton Valley — Hamlin 20-yd pass from English (Hamlin pass from English)
Marmaton Valley — Becker 46-yd run (Houk pass from English)
Marmaton Valley — Houk 5-yd run (pass failed)
Marmaton Valley — Becker 58-yd run (Houk pass from English)
Marmaton Valley — English 4-yd run (run failed)
Marmaton Valley — Johnson 13-yd pass from English (English run)
MV YC
First downs 8 1
Rushes-yds 29-286 13-13
Passing yds 40 27
Total Offense 326 40
Passing 4-10-0 3-10-1
Fumbles-lost 1/0 1/1
Punts-Avg. NA 3-33.3
Penalties-yds 2-20 3-20
Marmaton Valley blanks Yates Center in district play
