Wildcats Dominate Crest 56-0, Eye Third Straight TRL Title

The Marmaton Valley High Wildcats showcased an impressive performance on October 6, 2023, defeating the Crest Lancers 56-0 in a decisive match that positions them for a potential third consecutive title in the Three Rivers League. The Wildcats demonstrated remarkable efficiency, scoring six rushing touchdowns on their first ten carries, leaving little doubt about their dominance.

From the outset, the Wildcats made their intentions clear. It only took three plays for the team to score their first touchdown, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Senior quarterback Ty Lord was a standout player, rushing for 107 yards and three touchdowns on just four carries. Lord also completed three of seven passes for 74 yards, including a notable 37-yard touchdown pass to junior tailback Cooper Scharff, who added another 104 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.

The Wildcats quickly established a commanding lead, reaching a staggering 40-0 by the end of the first quarter. They opted for a conservative strategy in the second quarter, allowing Crest little opportunity to respond. The Lancers, who have struggled with injuries throughout the season, managed to cross midfield only once against a relentless Wildcat defense.

Crest head coach Nick McAnulty acknowledged the challenge of facing a well-prepared team like Marmaton Valley. “They’re very well coached,” he remarked. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. They’re fast, and they fly to the football.” Wildcat coach Max Mickunas expressed respect for Crest despite their setbacks, stating, “It’s unfortunate they’ve had some injuries. We wanted to make sure we came out and played hard and played our game. We executed very well and played great on defense.”

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Wildcats faced their own hurdles. Two long touchdown runs were called back due to penalties, yet they quickly responded with even more impressive plays. “A lot of that is our coaches,” said Todd Stevenson, who rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on just two carries. “They drew up good plays for us.”

The atmosphere was heightened by Crest’s Homecoming celebrations, where Jensen Barker was crowned Homecoming King alongside Queen Kinley Edgerton. Fans and coaches from both teams participated in a unified effort to promote mental health awareness, wearing yellow T-shirts in support. “It was amazing,” Mickunas noted, expressing gratitude for the collaboration.

As the Wildcats prepare for their next challenge, McAnulty hopes to recover some of his injured players. “The testament of a man’s character is not during times of comfort,” he said. “It’s during times of adversity and tribulation when you’ve gotta figure out who’s going to go when times are hard.” He praised his team’s effort, emphasizing pride in the resilience shown despite the score.

Unofficially, Barker led the Lancers with 24 rushing yards. The Wildcats are now focused on clinching the outright Three Rivers League and Eight Man-II, District 1 titles when they host St. Paul for Senior Night. Achieving the league title would mark their third consecutive championship, while a district title would be their second in a row.

“This will be for all the marbles,” Mickunas said, highlighting the significance of the upcoming match. “We are peaking at the right time. Our ultimate goal is to make a run in the playoffs, and we’re on track to do that.” Stevenson echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’d mean a lot to us to go back, but we want to go at least two or three rounds, maybe even further.”

As the Wildcats continue their pursuit of excellence, their recent performance leaves little doubt about their capabilities on the field.