Wildcats win wild one at the end

Sports

September 11, 2010 - 12:00 AM

MORAN — Forgive Kent Houk if he looks a little flustered today.
“The kids about gave me a heart attack,” the Marmaton Valley High head football coach said Friday night following a dramatic back-and-forth affair that wasn’t settled until the game’s waning seconds.
The Wildcats broke a 26-26 deadlock when reserve quarterback Zach English plowed over the goal line from four yards out — with two defenders draped on his back — with 2 seconds left on the clock.
“It was a matter of him wanting it more,” Houk said.
The 34-26 win over Miami R-1 School of Amoret, Mo., marked Houk’s first as Marmaton Valley’s head coach.
“The kids did a good job tonight, especially our younger players,” Houk said. “They did a helluva job.”
Miami had tied up the contest with 1:19 on the clock when a big kick return by English set the Wildcats up at midfield.
Their drive was keyed by a pivotal 11-yard pass from English to Ben Smith — Marmaton Valley’s only completion of the night — on 4th and 7.
Three running plays later put Marmaton Valley at the Eagle 4-yard line, setting the stage for English’s dramatic touchdown.
“I have to give a lot of credit to our offensive line,” Houk said. “They were bigger than we were, and we didn’t knock them off the ball, but we were able to gain the yards when we needed to.”
English was in the game because starting quarterback Tanner Lewis was sidelined with a knee injury. Likewise, starting running backs Cole Becker and Landon Hammond also went out with injuries. They were replaced by reserves Michael Swift and Chase Dudley.
“It was our JV backfield,” Houk said. “I’m real proud of our young kids. They grew up a lot tonight.”
Marmaton Valley had the proceedings in hand for the bulk of the first half. Hammond scored on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by a one-yard run by Lewis in the first period and a five-yard run in the second.
Miami scored on a long touchdown with just over a minute left in the second quarter, then twice more in the early moments of the third to take a 20-18 lead.
Becker’s one-yard touchdown scamper, followed by English’s two-point run put Marmaton Valley back on top 26-20.
The Wildcats rolled up 274 yards on the ground, led by Hammond with 114 yards on 11 carries and Becker’s 100 yards on 22 rushes. English had 55 yards on 13 carries. Lewis rushed six times for 42 yards.
On defense, Becker led the way with nine tackles, six of the solo variety. Nathan Smart and Justin Holeman each had five solo tackles and two assists. Gage Stewart had two solos and five assists.
Lewis and Smith also recovered Eagle fumbles.
“Ben’s fumble recovery in the fourth quarter was huge for us,” Houk said.
The Wildcats travel to Altoona-Midway Friday.
“The big key for us is getting healthy again,” Houk said.
Marmaton Valley    12-6-8-8—34
Miami R-1    0-6-14-6—26

MV — Hammond 24 yd run (PAT failed)
MV — Lewis 1 yd run (PAT failed)
MV — Lewis 5 yd run (PAT failed)
Miami — #7 45 yd run (PAT failed)
Miami — #30 10 yd run (PAT failed)
Miami — #30 45 yd run (#7 run)
MV — Becker 1 yd run (English run)
Miami _ #7 20 yd run (PAT failed)
MV — English 4 yd run (Smith run)

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