Wildcats maul Eagles in playoff opener

Marmaton Valley running back Cooper Scharff had more than 200 yards rushing Thursday night, but he was far from the only Wildcats to have success in the opening round of the postseason.
Brady Burton, Marmaton Valley junior tight end, drops back to block Thursday. Photo by Halie Luken
by Jimmy Potts
Published: October 30, 2026
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Marmaton Valley running back Cooper Scharff had more than 200 yards rushing Thursday night, but he was far from the only Wildcats to have success in the opening round of the postseason.

MORAN — A touchdown run by senior Marmaton Valley lineman Dagan Barney brought Thursday’s playoff opener to an early close as the Wildcats mercy-ruled the visiting Norwich Eagles 58-12.

Barney’s rushing TD may have been a reward for a well-run defense, who allowed the Wildcats to develop a 46-12 lead by halftime and held the Eagles scoreless throughout the shortened third quarter.

A 57-yard run by senior running back Cooper Scharff put the Wildcats up early and they never looked back.Runs by Cooper from 6 yards out, 36 yards out and a screen pass from junior quarterback Kaden McVey to Scharff from 69-yards out made it a three-possession game early in the second quarter.

Jimmy Potts

Jimmy Potts began his journalism career over 15 years ago at the Bossier Press-Tribune in Bossier City, La., where he learned from legendary sports editor Jerry Byrd – affectionately known as the “Man of all Seasons.” Since then, he’s covered sports in Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas, before joining the Iola Register in February 2025. Jimmy grew up in Johnson County but is adapting to life in Iola. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, of course, and spending time with friends and family.

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