WCV makes NV pay for mistakes

GREENFIELD – West Central Valley took advantage of premium field position early to put Nodaway Valley in a quick hole on its way to a 62-12 win over the Wolverines Friday.

The Wolverines opened the contest with a three-and-out and the Wildcats pulled out a little trickeration to go 61 yards on a flea flicker for a touchdown on WCV’s first play from scrimmage as Carson Wadle hit an open Cole Arnburg.

Nodaway Valley fumbled on its next two possessions, giving West Central Valley the ball in the red zone. The Wildcats took advantage of the quality field position and scored quickly, taking an early 21-0 edge.

The first score was an 11-yard pass lofted over the head of a Wolverine defender from Wadle to Arnburg for their second touchdown connection. Arnburg ended the contest with 119 yards receiving and the two first quarter scores.

"I think it was just a struggle from everything," said Nodaway Valley coach Taylor Ashman. "We had one of our starting lineman go down and I think people kind of got worried and nervous. We are not very deep."

NV's Evan Forcht left the game early and Ashman was unsure of his status postgame.

After an NV fumble on an option pitch, WCV found itself back in the end zone after Zac Mann capped a three-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

Brice Sechrist punched in another touchdown on an 11-yard carry into the end zone, giving the Wildcats a 28-0 lead with 4:08 left in the first quarter.

A 57-yard completion from Tyler Vandewater to Austin Wilson set up the Wolverines with their first scoring chance of the contest late in the first half.

NV went backwards and out of the red zone before facing a fourth-and-20 in which Vandewater tossed a spiral pass into the bread basket of Jon Gebbie who sprinted down the sideline and into the end zone for a 30-yard score.

West Central Valley scored two more times before the half to take a 49-6 lead after Arnburg returned a punt for a touchdown and Mann bulldozed his way into the end zone after a Wildcat interception.

Nodaway Valley opened the second half with a quick defensive stop and turned it into another score when Vandewater found Clay Hohertz across the middle on a 10-yard crossing pattern in which Hohertz maneuvered his way another 23 yards for a 33-yard score.

Vandewater was 6-of-19 passing for 129 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

"We're all a team and we have to continue to move forward in the same direction," said Ashman. "We have to not drop punts, not fumble the ball on offense and not give them good field position because that ... just takes the wind out of your sails."

WCV added two more touchdowns before the night ended, giving the Wildcats their first win of the season.

"You can always see the good through the bad times and I see that in our guys," said Ashman. "They don't quit. They don't give up ... It may not be right now, but it will pay off."

UP NEXT – Nodaway Valley (0-4) opens up Class A District 9 play Friday against Southwest Valley (4-0) in Corning.

The Timberwolves of SWV are coming off a 20-16 win over Clarinda.

West Central Valley 62, Nodaway Valley 12

WCV 28 21 6 7 - 62

NV 0 6 6 0 - 12

1st quarter

WCV – Cole Arnburg 61 pass from Carson Wadle (Arburg kick), 10:22

WCV – Arnburg 11 pass from Wadle (Arnburg kick), 8:16

WCV – Zac Mann 2 run (Arnburg kick), 7:06

WCV – Brice Sechrist 9 run (Arnburg kick), 4:08

2nd quarter

WCV – Arnburg 34 run (Arnburg kick), 9:34

NV – Jon Gebbie 30 pass from Tyler Vandewater (PAT missed), 6:56

WCV – Mann 4 run (Arnburg kick), 2:59

WCV – Arnburg 50 punt return (Arnburg kick), 1:01

3rd quarter

NV – Clay Hohertz 33 pass from Vandewater (2-pt fail), 5:46

WCV – Wadle 2 run (PAT missed), 1:19

4th quarter

WCV – Mann 5 run (Arnburg kick), 8:08

Individual leaders

Rushing: NV – Tony Ayase 6-4; Nathan Russell 4-3. WCV – Brice Sechrist 10-87 and a TD; Carson Wadle 12-74 and a TD; Zac Mann 10-60 and 3 TDs; Cole Arnburg 2-40 and a TD

Passing: NV – Tyler Vandewater 6-19-1 for 129 yards and 2 TDs. WCV – Wadle 6-10 for 119 yards and 2 TDs.

Receiving: NV – Austin Wilson 2-62; Clay Hohertz 2-33 and a TD; Jon Gebbie 1-30 and a TD; Hunter Ernst 1-4. WCV – Arnburg 6-119 and 2 TDs.

Tackles (solo-assists): NV – Wilson (7-4); Ernst (3-6); Ayase (2-4); Caelen DeVault (2-4); Trevor Flettre (1-5); Gebbie (1-3); Colby Harris (1-3); Brady Hilpipre (1-3); Ryan Randall (1-3); Mitchel Schaefer (1-3); Aryll Shantz (1-2).

Punts-avg: NV – Hilpipre 6-39.9. WCV – Korbin Nourse 1-32.