ST. PAUL — Marmaton Valley Junior High’s football and volleyball teams were triumphant in their respective season openers Thursday.
The Wildcats’ Justin Pugh scored a second-half touchdown and extra point to break a 6-6 deadlock in the football team’s 14-6 win over St. Paul.
Trevor Wilson scored Marmaton Valley’s touchdown in the first half.
The Wildcats’ defense was key, said head coach Dan Uhlrich, although the offense still has much to work on, particularly with its ball-handling.
“It was a hard-fought game,” he said.
On the volleyball court, Marmaton Valley’s A team won 25-10, 25-15, thanks to the brilliant serving of Trinitee Gutierrez, who nearly outscored the Indians by herself. Gutierrez served up 22 points for the Wildcats, followed by Megan Ensminger with eight points, Shalay Brooks with four, Paige Becker with two and MaKayla Brooks with one.
“The other girls would have had more, but Trinitee did such a great job that they never had a chance,” head coach Brenda Mills said. “Megan really did a nice job of setting up the Brooks sisters to knock home several winners.”
Marmaton Valley’s B team emerged on top, 25-6, 25-21.
Shailee Woods led the way with 10 points, followed by Emily Smart with eight and Shelby Yoho with seven.
The Wildcat squads are at Pleasanton Thursday.
Wildcat junior high squads compete
