MORAN — A bout with the flu could not stop the Marmaton Valley High Wildcats from flexing their offensive muscle in Friday’s rout of Yates Center High. Yates Center 0-0-x-x—0
Senior Night for Marmaton Valley was over quickly as the Wildcats held Yates Center scoreless to end the game at halftime, 54-0. The win lifts Marmaton Valley’s record to 8-0.
Head coach Kent Houk said seven of his eight Wildcat starters were dealing with the flu all week during practice. Some had not fully recovered for Friday’s game.
“We had some sick kids this week, which meant some of our other guys had to step, up ” Houk said. “I told them ‘No excuses.’”
The Wildcats racked up 229 yards of offense in the game’s two quarters, all of which came on the ground.
Yates Center’s defensive line proved no match for the size and speed of Marmaton Valley’s offensive players.
To open the first quarter, senior Cole Becker broke through a hole for a 23-yard touchdown. Becker ran once more for a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a 5-yard touchdown from senior Ryan Smith.
The second quarter started with an explosive 48-yard run from Becker. Senior quarterback Jimmy Frye took back a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, after another Marmaton Valley defensive stand.
Carlos Gonzales picked off Yates Center quarterback Bryce Leon and ran 50 yards to the end zone. Leon was picked off once more for a touchdown late in the second quarter with a 40-yard interception return from Becker.
Becker led Marmaton Valley’s ground attack with 13 carries for 126 yards. Senior Daylen Houk rushed 10 times for 57 yards and Smith rushed seven times for 30 yards.
Defensively, the Wildcats held Yates Center to a mere 15 yards of total offense, allowing only one first down. Frye led Marmaton Valley in tackles with five. Becker and senior Nathan Smart each had four stops. Senior Jared Kale had two tackles and a sack. Houk, Becker and Gonzales each had one interception.
Coach Houk said his team will need to be prepared to when it travels to a strong St. Paul team Thursday, even though the Indians suffered their first loss of the season Friday, a 52-40 setback to Marais Des Cygnes Valley.
Marmaton Valley 24-30-x-x—54
MV — Becker 23 yd run (Smith run)
MV — Becker 8 yd run (Becker run)
MV — Smith 5 yd run (Houk run)
MV — Becker 48 yd run (Becker run)
MV — Frye 55 yd punt return (Becker run)
MV — Gonzales 50 yd interception (PAT failed)
MV — Becker 40 yd interception (PAT failed)
YC MV
First Downs 1 10
Rushing 12-10 24-231
Passing-yds 5 -2
Total offense 15 229
Passing 9-14-3 2-2-0
Fumbles 1 0
Punting 5-33 0
Penalties 1-5 3-25
MV stays perfect with romp
