Wildcats Dominate Crest, Eye Third Straight Three Rivers League Title

The Marmaton Valley High School Wildcats showcased their dominance by defeating the Crest Lancers 56-0 in a decisive match, maintaining their pursuit of a third consecutive Three Rivers League (TRL) title. The Wildcats’ impressive offensive performance included six rushing touchdowns on their first ten carries, demonstrating their efficiency on the field.

In the opening quarter, it took only three plays for the Wildcats to score their first touchdown. Senior quarterback Ty Lord led the charge, rushing for 107 yards and three touchdowns on just four carries. He also completed 3 of 7 passes for 74 yards, including a striking 37-yard touchdown pass to junior tailback Cooper Scharff, who contributed significantly with 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The Wildcats established a commanding 40-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, allowing them to adopt a more conservative strategy in the second quarter. The Crest Lancers, grappling with injuries to key players, struggled to respond, managing to cross midfield only once against the relentless Wildcat defense.

“They’re very well coached,” remarked Nick McAnulty, head coach of the Lancers. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. They’re fast, and they fly to the football.” His sentiments were echoed by Mickunas, who acknowledged the challenges faced by Crest and praised his team’s execution.

Despite the lopsided score, there were moments of adversity for the Wildcats. Two long touchdown plays were called back due to penalties, yet the team quickly rebounded with even longer touchdown runs on the subsequent plays. “A lot of that is our coaches,” said Todd Stevenson, who rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown. “They drew up good plays for us.”

The game took place during Crest’s Homecoming, where Jensen Barker was crowned Homecoming King alongside Queen Kinley Edgerton. Fans and coaches from both teams wore yellow T-shirts to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, a collaboration that Mickunas found heartening. “It was amazing. I’m thankful they agreed to do that with us,” he stated.

Looking ahead, McAnulty expressed hope that some of his injured players would return to the lineup. “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 got to figure out who’s going to go when times are hard. We saw guys who fought hard, and I’m proud of that.”

Unofficially, Barker led the Lancers with 24 rushing yards, but it was evident that the Wildcats were the team in control. The upcoming match against St. Paul on October 6, 2023, will be crucial for Marmaton Valley, as they aim to clinch the outright Three Rivers League and Eight Man-II, District 1 titles. This would mark the Wildcats’ third consecutive league crown and their second district title in a row.

“This will be for all the marbles,” Mickunas said, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming game. “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 shares this ambition, expressing the desire for a deeper postseason run. “It’d mean a lot to us to go back, but we want to go at least two or three rounds, maybe even further,” he said.

With their eyes firmly set on the playoffs, the Wildcats continue to build momentum, showcasing their skill and determination on the field.