MORAN — The points were coming fast and furious in the first half for Marmaton Valley High, and its season-opening opponent from Lebo High.
The teams traded touchdowns like baseball cards, with Lebo holding a 46-34 lead after a frenetic first half.
But Marmaton Valley’s offense stalled in the second quarter, while Lebo’s kept up its blistering pace.
The Wolves tacked on another 36 points after intermission in an 84-40 win.
And even with Lebo’s offensive explosion, Marmaton Valley head coach Kent Houk found plenty of reasons to be optimistic the Wildcats will have a successful season.
“Lebo’s a good team, a very good team,” Houk said. “But when they left the field, they knew we gave them a game.”
Lebo scored three quick touchdowns in the first quarter to take the upper hand, but Marmaton Valley answered in short order, with a 30-yard touchdown run by Landon Hammond, a 70-yard kickoff return by Daylen Houk and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Lewis to Nathan Smart.
The teams continued to trade touchdowns in the second period. Lebo’s score followed by a 20-yard touchdown run by Marmaton Valley’s Cole Becker. Another long touchdown run for the Wolves preceded a second Becker touchdown, this one from three yards out.
“We looked pretty good in the first half,” Coach Houk said. “Our special teams looked good and our offense was able to control the ball. We had a costly fumble in the first half, which kind of killed our momentum and they scored a couple of quick touchdowns.”
But with Daylen Houk sidelined in the second half (concussion), Marmaton Valley’s offense stalled. Lebo tacked on three more touchdowns in the third period to take a 68-34 lead.
Landon scored Marmaton Valley’s final touchdown of the game on a 45-yard run.
The teams combined for more than 800 yards. Marmaton Valley rushed 51 times for 229 yards, led by Hammond’s 81 yards on 14 carries.
Becker rushed for 78 yards and Lewis had 14 carries for 60 yards. Lewis connected on 4 of 11 passes for 55 yards. Smart had a 20-yard reception, Gage Stewart followed with 26 yards on two more catches and Ben Smith had a nine-yard catch. Stewart and Lewis each had seven tackles, Smith had six and Daylen Houk four.
Marmaton Valley (0-1) plays at home next Friday against Miami High of Amoret, Mo.
Lebo 22-24-22-18—84
Marmaton Valley 14-20-0-6—40
Lebo — safety (MV ball carrier tackled in end zone)
Lebo — Barker 6 yd pass from #9 (PAT failed)
Lebo — Holmes 7 yd run (PAT failed)
Lebo — Holmes 31 yd run (PAT good)
MV — Houk 70 yd kickoff return (PAT good)
MV — Hammond 30 yd run (PAT failed)
MV — Smart 20 yd pass from Lewis (PAT failed)
Lebo — Lindsey 39 yd pass from #9 (PAT good)
MV — Becker 20 yd run (PAT failed)
Lebo — Kelly 47 yd run (PAT good)
MV — Becker 3 yd run (Becker run)
Lebo — Holmes 35 yd run (PAT good)
Lebo — Lindsey 30 yd reception from #9 (PAT good)
Lebo — #44 2 yd run (PAT failed)
Lebo — Lindsey 45 yd pass from #9 (PAT good)
Lebo — Roepker 55 yd run (PAT good)
MV — Hammond 45 yd run (PAT failed)
