Timberwolf defense impresses in 42-0 win to open season

CORNING — Addison Bull’s two interceptions opened the gates early as Southwest Valley dispatched Red Oak 42-0 in its home opener.

The Timberwolves only needed to go 19 yards following Bull’s first pick. Chance Cobb scrambled into the end zone on third down from 18 yards out to notch the games first score.

The very next Red Oak drive had a similar result. Bull stepped in front of a wayward pass and returned it 28 yards for a score extending Southwest Valley’s lead to 14-0 with 7:23 left in the first quarter.

Offensively, the Timberwolves cruised on their second drive. The home team marched 35 yards on six plays capping the drive off with a touchdown run courtesy of Jace Petersen to go up 21-0. Petersen scored Southwest Valley’s next touchdown as well.

Timberwolves head coach Anthony Donahoo knows he’s working with quite a few athletes.

“Coming in and doing this we know we have the athletes to compete with anybody,” said Donahoo. “So, it’s just putting it together.”

In the second quarter, Petersen caught his only pass of the night from quarterback Chance Cobb, broke several tackles and rumbled 61 yards on his way to paydirt for the second time. Petersen’s second touchdown of the game put the Timberwolves up 28-0 before the half.

Cobb finished the first half 4 of 6 passing with 106 yards and two total touchdowns. All four of his completions were to different receivers.

Running back Aaron Armstrong got his numbered called 13 times carrying the ball for 68 yards and punching in a five-yard touchdown run to give Southwest Valley a 35-0 lead early in the second half.

Aiden Gaule added the final score of the game on a two-yard plunge up the middle. Gaule finished with 22 yards on five carries.

Defensively, the Timberwolves’ defensive line consistently forced Red Oak backward not allowing any traction for the Tiger running game. Red Oak ran the ball 35 times for a total of 32 yards on the ground.

Red Oak couldn’t find much help through the air either as Southwest Valley recorded a total of six sacks by six different players.

The Tigers were held without a first down throughout the entirety of the first half.

Tigers junior quarterback Carter Bruce finished the contest going 7 of 13 from the pocket for 33 yards with two interceptions.

Petersen was consistent on the other side of the ball for the Timberwolves recording a game-high 5.5 tackles.

Southwest Valley did have some mistakes that Donahoo said afterwards he would definitely like to get cleaned up.

“Offensively, we just have to limit our mistakes,” said Donahoo. “We had a few bad snaps and I talked about, you know big first downs. Seven yards on first down and then on second-and-short we can run plays. I don’t have a third-and-23 play.”

Those mistakes were also present on special teams with a couple of bad snaps in punting situations that gave Red Oak great field position that the Tigers were unable to capitalize on.

“We talk about the process a lot,” said Donahoo. “You’re not going to beat a Nodaway Valley or a Southeast Warren or a St. Albert if you put yourself in bad positions by not following the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday process to be ready.”

UP NEXT — Southwest Valley (1-0) travels to Mount Ayr (1-0) next week looking to redeem themselves from a 27-17 loss to the Raiders last season.

SW Valley 42, Red Oak 0

RO 0 0 0 0 - 0

SWV 21 7 7 7 - 42

Individual leaders

Rushing: SWV: Aaron Armstrong 13-68, 1 TD; Chance Cobb 6-52, 1 TD; Aiden Gaule 5-22, 1 TD.

Passing: SWV: Cobb 4-6-0 for 106 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: SWV: Jace Petersen 1-61, 1 TD; Trenton Drake 1-20; Grant Maurer 1-14; Chance Tepoel 1-11.

Tackles (solo-assists): SWV: Logan Calkins 1-6, Jace Petersen 4-3, Aaron Armstrong 3-3, Tallen Myers 4-2, Brett Schafroth 1-5, Andy Seals 1-5.

Interceptions-return yards: Addion Bull 2-43.