High School Football: Wildcats 52, Lancers 6
MORAN It wasnt always pretty.
Marmaton Valley High hosted Three Rivers League rival Crest Friday in what became a two-hour slug-fest featuring a combined 10 fumbles, 11 penalties (plus three others that were either offsetting or declined) and plenty of bone-jarring tackles.
But after a slow start, the host Wildcats erupted for three touchdowns in the final six minutes of the first half en route to a 52-6 homecoming victory.
The win was the first of the season for Marmaton Valley in five attempts. Crest, meanwhile, falls to 0-5.
Im happy for my kids, Marmaton Valley head coach Gavin Cole said. Hopefully, this propels us into the rest of the season, and we can regain some of the confidence we had at the start of the season.
The undermanned Crest squad gave the Wildcats everything it wanted in the early going.
The Lancers held tough on a goal-line stand in the first quarter, stopping four straight plays from within their own 10.
Then, on third and long, Lancer quarterback Jacquez Coleman found Tayton Driskel uncovered behind the Marmaton Valley secondary. Driskel stayed clear of the pursuing defenders to complete the 75-yard touchdown pass.
It was a play we game-planned for and practiced on, and we still sit there and got beat, Cole said. Weve talked a lot about understanding situations and what can happen in different scenarios. Its a matter of getting these kids more experience.
Crests lead didnt last long.
Caiden Elliott, who was crowned Homecoming King in a pre-game ceremony, along with queen Karlie Stephens, returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown to take an 8-6 lead.
And despite another stalled drive on their next possession, the Wildcats began to take control in the second period.
Elliott hauled in a 14-yard scoring strike from Gage Griffith, William Lowder scored on a 10-yard run, and Griffith had the back-breaker, a 44-yard touchdown run with 76 seconds left in the half.
Suddenly, Marmaton Valley led 30-6 at the break.
The Wildcats kept their momentum after intermission. A two-play drive to open the third quarter ended with Elliotts 14-yard touchdown jaunt. Griffith ran in from 5 yards out on the next possession.
