High School Football: Patriots 50, Wildcats 14
MORAN Fridays season-opener had the makings of a Clint Eastwood western for Marmaton Valley Highs faithful.
There was plenty of good a balanced running attack churned out 230 rushing yards against a stout West Elk defense.
The bad Marmaton Valleys defense, conversely, surrendered more than 330 yards, including a series of third- and fourth-down conversions that led to Patriot scores.
And the ugly four turnovers, including three that ended Wildcat drives deep in West Elk territory.
By the time darkness fell, West Elk was well on its way to a 50-14 win.
We learned tonight what weve got to improve on, Marmaton Valley head coach Gavin Cole said. Unfortunately we learned it against a really good team.
The belied the final margin, Cole noted. It almost felt like we could have been up going into the fourth quarter.
Trouble was, West Elks defense bent but didnt break in most instances, while the Wildcat defense allowed several key third- and fourth-down conversions that invariably led to Patriot points.
To wit, West Elk converted three third down attempts on its opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown. The Wildcats then promptly drove to the West Elk 14 before a lost fumble ended the threat.
But the hosts didnt give up without a fight. Marmaton Valley took quick advantage of a bad snap on a West Elk punt in the second quarter that led to a safety, cutting the Patriot lead to 8-2.
A key 38-yard pass from William Lowder to Gage Griffith led to a 1-yard plunge by Caiden Elliott to knot the score at 8-8 with 3:57 left in the half.
But West Elk used up all but the final 35 seconds of the second quarter to score on a 1-yard keeper from William Silvey to move up 14-8, then put together an exasperating eight-play, 54-yard drive, converting twice on fourth downs in the process. Silveys 11-yard touchdown pass to Codie Cannon put the Patriots up 20-8.
The teams traded fumbles before Marmaton Valleys back-breaker.
Elliott rushed four straight times to put Marmaton Valley within West Elks 15-yard line. But a muffed hand-off was picked up by the Patriots Brandon Lassley, who rumbled to the Wildcat 12. Silvey scored three plays later to push the margin to 28-8.
Griffiths 34-yard keeper with seven seconds left in third kept Marmaton Valley within shouting distance before Silvey found Cannon again for a 43-yard touchdown to open the fourth period for the Patriots.
