March 29, 2024

Wolverines rushed by Cardinals

Nodaway Valley can't stop Earlham ground game

EARLHAM — Fresh off its first win of the year, Nodaway Valley faced a much more difficult task in a 63-6 loss at Earlham Friday.

Cach Kenedy scored the lone Wolverine touchdown from 11 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Kennedy had 29 yards rushing, Spencer Lamb notched 30, and Thomas Britten led the way with 35.

While Nodaway Valley never quite did stop Earlham from moving the football, it did force the Cardinals to mount longer drives.

The Cardinals had to grind out long drives to score their touchdowns.

“Consistency type stuff. We thought they were going to go a little bit inside the B gap and they ended up going outside of us a few times and we had to make some adjustments,” Nodaway Valley coach Steve Shantz said.

Earlham ran the ball for 340 yards threw for 144 yards passing and four touchdowns on seven completions.

Jacob Ridgely in particular was a thorn in the side to NV, with three receptions for 70 yards and each went for a touchdown.

Evan Forcht tallied 5.5 tackles, as did Kennedy. Britten had five tackles and a sack. Lamb added 4.5 tackles.

“Some of the young kids are getting a lot of good reps,” Shantz said. “Evan Forcht is doing a good job and Austin Wilson is kind of our all-around kid.”

Shantz noted that all-purpose starter Brady Hilpipre sustained a concussion, and will go through the protocol.

UP NEXT — Nodaway Valley (1-7 1-5), will welcome Martensdale-St. Marys (3-5, 2-4) to town on Friday. The Blue Devils are winners of two straight and defeated Griswold 28-24 last Friday.

“We’re getting better. We want to send the seniors off with a win,” Shantz said. “That would make two wins in the district for us. Once again, we’re going to have to be physical. Martensdale is big. I don’t think they’re quite as big as Earlham.”