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Getting to Know the 2015 Valley Tigers

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Last year, Dominique Dafney (24) was Rocky Lombardi’s go-to receiver. Who will become Valley’s top receiver in 2015? (Andrea Melendez/Des Moines Register)

By Romelle Slaughter

Last season, there were many questions about the Valley Tigers.  As the season went on, Coach Gary Swenson started receiving the answers to his questions. It’s safe to say that after the Tigers 10-2 campaign in 2014, Swenson has no questions to ponder about.

Behind an offensive line anchored by Division I prospect OL John Rairdon, OL Sam Rodgers and TE John Gliniecki, junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi is more than ready to lead the Tigers into the 2015 season. Lombardi emerged as one of the top signal callers in 4A as a sophomore. Lombardi completed nearly 58% of his passes (122-211, 2097 yds, 21 TD’s 7 INT’s).

Jevon Mason will be the featured running back for the Tigers, replacing Drew Gray. The sophomore Mason rushed 404 yards and 4 touchdowns as a freshman last season. TE John Gliniecki is the Tigers’ returning receiver and the most seasoned. He pulled down 10 catches for 271 yards in 2014. Gliniecki will be asked to step in to replace Dominique Dafney, Austin Hronich, and Blake Salsbury, who have graduated. 

Linebackers Nick Yencer and Ben Campos will lead a stingy defense with ball-hawking DBs Turner Scott and Noah Barr who combined for 5 interceptions.

Valley Stats

2014 record: 10-2 overall, 5-0 conference

Head Coach: Gary Swenson, 21st season, 196-43 

Returning Offensive Starters

John Raridon OL

Rocky Lombardi QB

John Gliniecki TE

Sam Rogers OL

Returning Defensive Starters

Nick Yencer LB,  

Ben Campos LB,  

Turner Scott DB  

Zach Deeming DL

Noah Barr DB

Total Returning Letterwinners: 18

Offensive scheme: Pro style offense

Defensive scheme: Under front defense, version of a 5-2

Coaching staff: Dave Cochran, Ryan Cooley, Randy Ripperger, Travis Young

Facts and info: Valley’s two losses were to Waukee. The Tigers lost to Waukee in Week 1 and in the quarterfinal round of the 2014 playoffs. 

2015 Schedule

Aug. 28 Waukee (CISN)

Sept. 04 @ Iowa City West

Sept. 11 Southeast Polk (CISN)

Sept. 18 @ Dowling Catholic (Drake Stadium) (CISN)

Sept. 25 Des Moines, Hoover (CISN)

Oct. 2 Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (CISN)

Oct. 9 @ Sioux City, West

Oct. 16 Ankeny Centennial (CISN)

Oct. 23 @ Des Moines Lincoln

Getting to know the 2015 Indianola Indians

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Photo: Des Moines Register

By Matt Gruemmer

You don’t have to travel far from the state’s capitol to find a football team that is annually committed to improving in every facet of the game. In his 11th season with Indianola, Eric Kluver looks to build on that sustained success following a 5-4 regular season and first-round playoff loss to eventual 4A state champion Dowling Catholic in 2014.

The Indians will need several fresh faces to step into roles on both sides of the football this year after many constant contributors on both offense and defense received their diplomas from last season’s squad. Brothers Trey and Cameron Bunting who totaled 23 of the team’s 31 touchdowns from a year ago are just two players whose shoes will need to be filled.

Senior QB Jack Jenson looks to lead this season’s offense after throwing for 536 yards in 2014. Jenson split roles with Trey Bunting behind center last season and completed over 63 percent of his passes for five touchdowns. Wide receiver Blake Upchurch also returns and will likely be a favored target through the air after he led the Indians with 28 receptions for three scores last year.

An upperclassmen-heavy defense looks to balance Indianola in 2015 led by DB Schaefer Orwig and LB Jimmy Aiello who combined for 90 total tackles last season. Junior Chris Brandt also brings experience in the kicking game after he hit five of nine attempts last season with a long of 36 yards.

This season’s schedule is another constant that Indianola welcomes back along with these returners. It’ll be an identical nine-game slate in 2015, beginning with a rematch against Ankeny at home on August 28.

Coach Kluver’s staff welcomes the challenge of grooming a new set of stars for this year’s Indianola squad, and it will be these incoming athletes that will set the tone in 2015.

Indianola Stats

2014 record: 5-5 overall, 2-3 conference

Head Coach: Eric Kluver, 11th season, 43-63 record

Returning offensive starters

QB Jack Jensen, SR

WR Blake Upchurch, SR

OL Nathan Woosley, SR

OL Karl Kaale, SR

OL Eagan Lickiss, JR

Returning defensive starters

LB Jimmy Aiello, SR

DL Anthony Pottebaum, SR

DL Brock VanLoon, SR

DB Schaefer Orwig, SR

K Chris Brandt, JR

Total returning letterwinners: 27

Offensive Scheme: Pro I

Defensive Scheme: 4-3

Team Goals: Have several players contribute at a high level on both sides of the ball

2015 Schedule (district games in bold)

08/28 vs. Ankeny

09/04 vs. Des Moines, Abraham Lincoln

09/11 @ Des Moines, East

09/18 @ Ottumwa

09/25 vs. Urbandale

10/02 vs. Fort Dodge

10/09 @ Waukee

10/16 vs. Mason City

10/23 @ Marshalltown

Getting to Know the 2015 Dowling Catholic Maroons

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By Romelle Slaughter

In a perfect world, people would ask for an encore performance and they receive one.

But what type of encore will Dowling Catholic give this year?  After all, they are the two-time defending Class 4A champions. The next question is how will they win their third straight title without the likes of Ryan Boyle, Nick Wilson, and Max Morris?

If you asked the Maroons’ football Tom Wilson, it won’t be easy to replace that amount of talent, but they will fill in with capable players. With 40+ letterwinners, including the only returning starter Michael Zachary who will not be eligible to play until October. Cole Deskin, Michael Palme and Brawntae Wells saw significant game time during the season, the Maroons still have a target on their back as they prepare for the road to the UNI-Dome.

Junior Cole Deskin will take over full-time in the backfield after an 80 carry, 511 yards, 8 touchdowns performance last season and will be expected to be the workhorse on offense. Deskin also turned heads this spring for his work on the track. Kurt Walding and J.T. Brown will compete to replace Ryan Boyle at quarterback. Both Walding and Brown combined for 6-10 passing for 47 total yards last season. That pales in comparison to Ryan Boyle, who racked up 137-221, 18 touchdowns for 1934 yards in his final season as the Maroons’ signal-caller. 

What will Dowling Catholic look like in the post-Ryan Boyle era? (Courtesy: Sports Spotlight)

Cole Scieszinski will fill see more time at receiver. Alec Hemann replaces “Mr. Perfect” Nick McClellan at placekicker.

Ross Otte and Michael Zachary will lead the Maroons’ defense, which will need to replace standouts Max Morris, Nick Wilson, Jo Jo Jok, and Dante Campero.

Dowling Catholic stats

2014 record:

Head Coach: Tom Wilson,

Assistant Coaches: Jim Williams, Grant Bousum, Jay Campbell, Craig McClain, Adam Jack, Andy Pollock, Jeff Motz, Fred Tiernan, Steve Smith, Ryan Van Veen, Luke Bengtson, Aundra Meeks

Returning offensive players with significant time

QB J.T. Brown and Kurt Walding, SR

WR Cole Scieszinski, SR

RB Cole Deskin, SR

Returning defensive starter

LB Michael Zachary

Total Returning Starters: 1

Total Returning Letterwinners: 40+

Offensive Scheme: Spread

Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5

Facts & Info: Former Johnston star Luke Bengston joins the Dowling staff. Bengston returns to the Des Moines area after being on the University of Arkansas staff. The Maroons will strive to be the first Class 4A school to win three straight football titles. Six schools, including Dowling (Bettendorf, Linn-Mar, Iowa City High, Iowa City West, WDM Valley) has won back-to-back titles. Dowllng and Bettendorf has won back-to-back twice since the playoff era began in 1972.

2015 Schedule (district games in bold)

Aug. 28 @ Cedar Rapids Xavier

Sept. 4 vs. Urbandale

Sept. 11 @ Waukee

Sept. 18 vs Valley (at Drake Stadium)

Sept. 25 @ CB Lewis Central 

Oct. 2. @ SC East

Oct. 9 vs. Johnston

Oct. 16 @ DM Roosevelt

Oct. 23 vs. DM North

Getting to Know You: Hoover Huskies

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The Hoover Huskies may have went 9-12 last season, but looks are deceiving. That is because they went 8-3 in the CIC-Metro Conference. Hoover looks to improve and give city rivals Des Moines East and Roosevelt a challenge in the Metro. After graduations to Mikayla Larson and Malaysia Duncan, coach Jason Karadios will look to returning players like Nyachristmas Puok to help the Huskies on the front court.

Is it the Huskies’ year to win the Metro Conference?

Des Moines Hoover Huskies

2013-14 Record (overall, conference): 10-12, 9-3

Class, Conference: 4A, CIC (Metro Conference)

Head Coach: Jason Karaidos, 3rd year (30-37 overall, all @ Hoover)

Assistants: Will Siffin, Jim Petersen, Rachel Chapman, Tristan Maxey

Returning starters/letterwrinners: Nyachristmas Puok (F), Brianna Hale (G), Olivia Evans (P), Emily Hestbech (P)

Newcomers: Madisen Blackford, Hannah Blackford, Hannah Broshar, Drea Turner

Players lost to graduation: Mikayla Larson, Malaysia Duncan, Artorria Jung, Lauren Provost (transferred)… All four were starters

Key Games on schedule: Roosevelt, Perry, and all CIC conference games

Team Goals: Improve each game and gain experience, gain confidence

Interesting storylines: Hoover’s last state tournament appearance was in 2004 (4 overall appearances). The Huskies were runner-ups in the six-player title game in 1983.

Follow them on Social Media: @HooverHuskies (Twitter)

 

The 2014 Girls’ Basketball Preview

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Sneakers, gyms, nets, and basketball. Hoops season is back. (Maxpreps)

Sneakers, gyms, nets, and basketball. Hoops season is back. (Maxpreps)

The winter sports season is upon us, and that means the start of girls’ and boys’ basketball across the state of Iowa.

As a prelude, CISN will roll out our team preview capsules (better known as “Getting to Know You”) of the teams in the Central Iowa Conference (CIC) that we will be following and covering this winter.

This week, we will start with the girls’, since they start their season on Friday.

Can Dowling Catholic go back-to-back and win their 2nd 5A girls title, or will Southeast Polk get their second title in three years? Does Valley, Des Moines East, and Ames have what it takes to take the crown? Will Hoover and Roosevelt get over the hump and make their return to State?

Or is there a dark horse team that could make a splash?

We’ll find out to all of those answers as the curtain rises for the ’14-’15 season.

We’ll have our first look at several teams starting Tuesday afternoon.

 

 

 

Dragons Look to Shut Tigers’ Offense Down

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Johnston_logo Valley_Tigers_logoMonday nights are usually reserved for the pros. But in Iowa, the first Monday in November belongs to the preps. And just like in the professional ranks, the atypical evening throws off routines. This includes short turnarounds from the first playoff round and the quick study of your next foe.

Scouting your next opponent was never considered to be exact science. “Win and move on” is the motto most teams use when it comes to the playoffs. The Johnston Dragons and the Valley Tigers are no strangers to the playoffs: learn as much about your next opponent, put on the shoulder pads, and take the field.

The Tigers and the Dragons will meet for a second-round playoff affair Monday night at Valley Stadium. Listen to the game on www.CentralIowaSportsNetwork.com beginning at 650p Monday night.

In the first round, Valley handled Des Moines East 56-7, as running backs Javon Mason and Drew Gray rushed for a combined 217 yards as the Tigers racked up 491 total yards against a Scarlets’ defense that led Class 4A in takeaways. The defense stymied East’s running game and forced the Scarlets to pass.

Johnston scored the mild surprise of the first round, easily dispatching Ankeny Centennial, 34-6. The Dragons defense, led by Hezekiah Applegate, shut down the Centennial running game to under 150 yards, as Dragons’ running back T-Boy White scored three touchdowns and quarterback Reid Sinnett went 15-25 for 252 yards.

Courtesy: Holly McQueen (Des Moines Register)

Courtesy: Holly McQueen (Des Moines Register)

Will Johnston and Valley end up in an offensive shootout, or will it be a defensive battle in the trenches?

Who: Johnston (7-3) at WDM Valley (9-1)

Where: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, Iowa

When: Monday, November 3rd, 7:00pm kickoff

The Facts: In first round play, Johnston eliminated Ankeny Centennial, 34-6. Valley posted a 56-7 win over DM East. The last time the Dragons and the Tigers met was a second-round playoff game 2012, Valley winning the game 42-17.

Things to watch:

  • Johnston leads the remaining playoff teams in passing. Will Ed Wilson’s rainy forecast put out the Dragon’s fire?
  • The Tiger’s leading receiver was held to one catch by East. Can Dom Dafney be contained again?
  • How will Valley tackle the tough T-Boy White?
  • Can Johnston get a program signature playoff win?

Johnston – Projected Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Reid Sinnett; TB T-Boy White; WR Andrew Heuss, Zach Seay, and Mark Johnson, TE/FL Regen Siems; C Logan Beguhn, G Dane Beery and Alex Beltrame, T Alex Wary and Tom Dusen.

Defensive starters – S Nolan Monte Monthei, FS Drew Singbush, Rover Nolan Wengert, CB Jonathan May and Jack Bergstrom, LB Karl Rasmussen, Jackson Clausen and Eric Siedenburg; DE Regen Siems and Hezekiah Applegate , dT Troy Tigges , NG Boris Petrusic

Special Teams – P/K Tom Zinselmeier, KR Jack Bergstrom and Mark Johnson, PR Jack Bergstrom

Courtesy: Andrea Melendez (Des Moines Register)

Courtesy: Andrea Melendez (Des Moines Register)

Valley – Project Starting Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Rocky Lombardi, RB Drew Gray and Blake Salsbury, WR Dominique Dafney and Austin Hronich, TE John Gliniecki, T Cody Genzen and Sam Rogers, G John Rairdon and Zachary Matt, C Brady Smith

Defensive starters – NG Trey Walsh, DT Dan McCoy and Zach Downs, DE Austin Turner, CB Matt Vertin and Turner Scott, LB Nick Yencer, Mason Berg and Ben Campos, S Gabe Honnold and Keller Prien

Special Teams – P Zach Downs, K Cole Hahn, KR Javon Mason

The pregame show on the Central Iowa Sports Network (centraliowasportsnetwork.com) will start at 6:50 pm, kickoff at 7 pm.

The game will be live streamed audio only.

Join Paul Yeager, Dar Danielson, and Keith Borness for the play-by-play, with Jim Kirby on the field with the Scheels sideline report.

Follow us on Twitter @CISportsNet throughout the game for updates.

 

Big Plays Propel Valley to Second Round With 56-7 Win Over D.M. East

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The mantra “always be prepared” is a tried and true statement. Javon Mason took those words to heart. When his name was called, he didn’t disappoint as he rushed for 117 yards as the Valley Tigers easily dispatched an undersized Des Moines East Scarlets team, 56-7, in a Class 4A first round game at Valley Stadium.

Tigers scored by land and by air, literally, and Mason landed the knockout punch when he out-rushed the Scarlets’ defense for a 78 yard touchdown run as the third quarter ended. Mason has become into a reliable go-to guy when he fills in for starting running back Drew Gray. The Tigers’ offense netted 491 total yards and converted on five of eight third downs on an East defense that led Class 4A in takeaways.

Drew Gray scored two of his three touchdowns on the first two Valley drives, one from 10 yards and the second from 6. Gray did much of his work in the first half, carrying the ball 10 times for 90 yards and tacked on a third touchdown in the second quarter. Blake Salsbury’s 4 yard run into the endzone bumped the Valley lead to 21-0 before the end of the first quarter.

It was an unusually quiet night for Tigers’ quarterback Rocky Lombardi and wide receiver Dominique Dafney (1 reception, 19 yards). Lombardi completed 6 of 11 passes for 183 yards and two scores. The first came with 4:17 left in the first half on a 21-yard swing pass to Drew Gray, and the second one with 55 seconds before the break when he found Austin Hinkle streaking towads the endzone and hit him for a 49-yard strike. The Hinkle score sent Valley into the locker room with a 42-0 lead at the break.

East got on the scoreboard with 1:28 left in the third quarter on a seven yard touchdown run by quarterback Chino Alcala, who led the Scarlets in passing (12-22, 130 yards, 2 interceptions), and rushing (15 carries, 36 yards). That score was sandwiched between two more Dowling touchdowns. Backup quarterback Will Loundsbury connected with Peter Lewis for an 11-yard score and the aforementioned long scoring run by Mason.

Juleo Harris hauled in 4 catches for 40 yards for East as they concluded their season at 4-5.

Valley (9-1) advances to the second round on Monday, November 3rd, as they will host the Johnston Dragons. The Dragons (7-3) stunned Ankeny Centennial (7-3), 34-6, at Ankeny Stadium in a first-round game.

Tigers Take Rails Off Track, Roll 62-0 In Regular Season Finale

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Action during the third quarter of the Lincoln vs Valley football game, as the fog started to roll in.

Many coaches will tell you stats don’t matter, but they know wins and player development are part of the job. But when a running back is just short of a 1,000 yards for the season, there is a little incentive to break that milestone.

Senior running back Drew Gray was 100 yards shy of hitting 1,000 yards heading into this evening’s game against Lincoln. Gray needed only two series to break that threshold, scoring on the Tigers’ first two drives, en route to a 62-0 win at Valley Stadium Friday night.

Gray capped a 6-play, 72 yard drive, with a 6-yard touchdown run, and would add a 4 yard score on the next drive. Gray would finish the night with 12 carries for 147 yards. Freshmen Javon Mason continued to turn heads with a 5 carry 38 yard night, with 29 of them coming on one play.

In the second quarter, Mr. Versatility, Blake Salsbury, would add a running and receiving touchdown to push the Tigers’ lead to 28-0. In a night featuring two underclassmen quarterbacks, the elder Rocky Lombardi (10-13, 242 yards) shined brighter, tossing three straight touchdown passes, two to Dominique Dafney (6 rec, 160 yards) and one to Salsbury as Valley took a 49-0 lead into halftime.

Lincoln was able to move the ball in the second half, but freshmen Will McElvain’s (20-38, 3 interceptions, 207 yards) pass was intercepted by the Tigers’ Turner Scott, and he weaves 80 yards for a pick-six. The Tigers ended the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jake Griffiths. Valley finished with 555 total yards, 302 on the ground. Darius Shumpert carried the ball 23 times for 80 yards and hauled in 8 receptions for 93 yards. Logan Garrels, fresh from a record performance versus Hoover last week, made 8 catches for 90 yards.

Lincoln finishes the season at 3-6, as Valley completes the season 8-1 and District 1 champions. Valley will learn of their 1st round opponent early Saturday morning.

Central Iowa Sports Network will provide audio only coverage of the Valley Tigers’ beginning Wednesday night, starting a 6:50 pm on CentralIowaSportsNetwork.com. Paul Yeager, Dar Danielsen, and Keith Borness, and Jim Kirby will have the call.

 

 

Maroons Host Roughriders for Home Finale

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On the west side of Des Moines, Roosevelt High is hungry for a post-season berth. They have not made the playoffs since 1996. They’ll have a chance to not only inch towards that goal, but to also spoil Dowling Catholic’s senior night.

The Roughriders and the Maroons will meet for a Class 4A District 2 game Friday night as the CISN Game of the Week, presented by CenturyLink.

Dowling (6-1 overall, 3-0 district) has a 1-game lead in the district race over Johnston and Lewis Central, both at 2-1. Roosevelt is tied with Sioux City East at 1-2. The next two weeks for the Roughriders (3-4, 1-2) are crucial. A win against Dowling and Lewis Central will build their case for the 4th playoff spot from District 2. But that is all contingent on Sioux City East losing one or both of their final games (vs. Des Moines North and at Johnston).

Running back Martavian Hall (136 rushes, 735 yards, 9 touchdowns) and receiver Jordan Johnson (28 receptions for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns) lead the Riders. Quarterback Michael Settle is 70-120 for 907 yards, have thrown for 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Prince Krah, Harley Davidson, and Logan Hoile lead the Riders’ defense with a combined 50 tackles between them.

Dowling looks to close out their home portion of the season undefeated and send out senior stars Ryan Boyle, Max Morris, Jo Jo Jok, and others with a bang. Sophomore Cole Deskin and senior Max Kasap has kept the Maroons’ rushing game in sync with Boyle after replacing an injured Isaiah Patton. Kasap has rushed 31 times for 233 yards and Deskin carried the ball 51 times for 288 yards.

The Dowling defense hasn’t missed a beat, even with Max Morris being out for the last two games, giving up a combined 16 points.

Can the Roughriders “Cowboy Up” and get a program-defining win over Dowling, or will the Maroons send their 39 seniors out in style with another dominating performance?

Who:  Des Moines Roosevelt (3-4) at #3 West Des Moines Dowling Catholic (6-1)

Where: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, Iowa

When: Friday, October 17, 7:30 pm kickoff (freshman play first)

The Facts: Last week, Dowling defeated Johnston 50-13, while Roosevelt handled Des Moines North, 51-0. Roosevelt and SC East are tied for third in the District 2 race at 1-2. This will be the first meeting between both teams since September 18, 2009, when Dowling defeated Roosevelt, 63-0.

Things to watch:

  • Will Roosevelt put it all together for a program-building win?
  • Will Dowling have a let down or ease off the pedal for Senior Night?
  • Speed makes a difference and will the Rough Riders run past the Maroons?
  • 39 Dowling seniors have only lost once the last two years on varsity.

Des Moines Roosevelt – Project Starting Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Michael Settle, RB Martavian Hall and Zayne Smith, WR Jordan Johnson and Daniel Luckett, TE Luke Donnelly, T Sunday Deng and Brock Stillmonks, G Jack Rollison and John Hawkins, C Anderson Ruble

Defensive starters – Luke Donnelly DE, Victor Wong DT, Nick Ballard DT, John Hawkins DE, Tanner Murray OLB, Chance Slinger LB, Nathaniel Bolden LB, Dane Vobrich OLB, Prince Krah DB, Daniel Lucket CB, Logan Hoile S.

Special Teams: P Luke Sutherland, K Caleb Shudak, KO Return Caleb Shudak and Main Thomas

Dowling Catholic – Projected Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Ryan Boyle; TB Max Kasap, FB Gray Gochenour; SE Eric Fardal; FL Charlie Schulte; C Cole Wymore, G Joe Brett and Kevin Vaughn-Carber, T Elijah Swehla and Conner McPhee, TE Ben McNeal

Defensive starters – FS Nick Wilson, CB Dante Campero and Michael Zachary, LB Kevin McMurray, Ross Otte, Rodney Harris, and Gray Gochenour; DE Brawnte Wells and Jo Jo Jok; T Ross Carpenter; NG Quinn Sonntag,

Special Teams- P/K Nick McLellan, Holder Frankie Mauro, LS Quinn Sonntag, PR Michael Zachary, KR Joe Gorsche

We’ll go on the air live on Central Iowa Sports Network (centraliowasportsnetwork.com) with the pregame at 7p CDT and the kickoff at 7:30 pm.

Join Paul Yeager, Taylor Bennett and Jim Kirby for the call of the game.  You can follow us on Twitter @CISportsNet for game updates throughout the evening

Our Scheels Audio Game of the Week is a great one with Dar Danielson calling the Valley Tigers traveling to Ankeny Centennial for a match up with the Jaguars.   Our partners at High School Cube will have the live online stream of other area games of interest and we’ll be offering links to games in eastern Iowa as well through QC Sports Net.

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Valley Breezes Past Sioux City West 76-6

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The West Des Moines Valley Tigers do not believe in taking an opponent for granted. They should know…everyone wants to take their best shot at them.

The Tigers (6-1 overall, 3-0 district) carried that mindset onto the field against Sioux City West and cruised to a 76-6 win over the winless Wolverines (0-7, 0-3) Friday evening.

Valley went three-and-out on their first possession. It was the only time they would punt in the game. On West’s first drive, Valley’s Zach Grasso stepped in front of a Ricardo Quintana pass and rumbles in for a 46 yard touchdown with 9:38 left in the first quarter.

Valley would score on their next eight drives before the first half was over. Drew Gray took a Rocky Lombardi hand-off for a 22 yard score to make it 14-0. Gray would add two more touchdowns (from 3 and 6 yards) on the next two drives, and then Rocky Lombardi (5-11-0 111 yds, 2 touchdowns) threw a 44-yard strike to Austin Hronich to push the lead to 35-0 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, fullback Blake Salsbury got into the act with two scores of his own, a one yard dive into the end zone at 10:32 of the second quarter, and an 11 yard scamper four minutes later. Lombardi would connect with Dominique Dafney for a 27 yard touchdown and Javon Mason would tack on one final touchdown from 10 yards to make it a 62-0 lead at the half.

Drew Gray would finish with 12 carries for 90 yards, while Dafney had 5 receptions for 67 yards.

The lone bright spot for the Wolverines took place with 1:31 left in the third quarter when Noah McWell threw a 17 yard pass to Richardo Quintana for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked. It was the sixth touchdown of the season for West.

McWell, who started at running back but also plays quarterback, was 12-16 for 108 yards, while Quintana was 7-12 for 17 yards.  West was unable to gain traction in the ground game, totaling 22 yards on 32 rushing attempts. Jalen Roseland hauled in eight catches for 82 yards, most of it against the Valley defensive reserves.

Next week, Valley will head to Ankeny to take on the Centennial Jaguars (6-1, 3-0), while West will host Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln (3-4, 1-2) in a Thursday night contest.