Smoky Valley’s triple threat rushing attack pounded their way for more than 300 yards and a victory on the road to start the season 1-0, defeating Halstead 20-16.
Vikings’ Kade Blanchat racked up 115 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown while Trystan Stambaugh raced for a 49-yard score in the third quarter and then a one-yard TD to put SVHS on top in the 4th as he piled up 113 yards on the night. Justice Autry eclipsed the century mark too, rushing for 101 yards on 15 carries.
Head Coach Tim Lambert and Vikes’ quarterback Karson Pihl discuss the next offensive series.
In a game marred by 8 lost fumbles, five by SV and three by Halstead, the Vikings engineered a 4-play, 66-yard drive to take the lead over the Dragons with just 1:27 left to play.
The Vikings huddle up for the final winning drive in the 4th quarter vs. Halstead.
Halstead’s final possession ended with a turnover as the Vikings’ Max Biekert’s pick sealed the game. Smoky Valley ran out the clock on their way to a 20-16 win to start to the 2021 season.
By the Numbers: Smoky Valley ran 61 plays on offense to Halstead’s 38 and owned the time of possession; 29:02 to the Dragons 18:58. Kade Blanchat led the Viking’s defense with 4.5 tackles while Haven Lysell-Stewart made 4 tackles, Justin Holt added four as well. Vincent Pickering and Trystan Stambaugh each notched a sack on defense in the victory for Smoky Valley.
Justice Autry fights for some tough yards versus the Dragons at Hess Field.
Braiden Weis (#10) & Haven Lysell (#25) are team captains.
Nolan Dauer (#3) makes a tackle for the Vikings.
Next up: Vikings will host the Haven Wildcats on Friday, September 10th.
Photos by Nick Blanchat for DalaTown.com.