Waubonsie Valley routs Larkin

Waubonsie Valley picked up where it left off the past two weeks at Larkin on Friday night.

Waubonsie Valley (5-1) sprinted out to a 34-0 lead with 9:20 remaining in the first half and the Warriors never looked back en route to a 55-7 Upstate Eight Crossover victory over host Larkin at Memorial Field in Elgin.

Waubonsie Valley has outscored its last three opponents, that include Lake Park, Metea Valley, and Larkin 160-14.

The Warriors forced 11 turnovers in their two previous games, and forced 3 more turnovers against the Royals

“Our defense has been doing a great job, giving us great field position with turnovers,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy whose defense has limited its opponents to 7 points in its five victories. “Anytime you get a short field you need to take it in, I loved the start we got off to.”

Larkin (3-3) had won two emotional last-second games, but the Royals could not match Waubonsie’s start on Friday.

Junior running back Austin Guido rushed for 197 yards on 16 carries, and also had 4 touchdowns to lead the Warriors’ offensive attack.

Guido started the scoring with a 7 yard run. After Larkin failed to gain a first down on a fake punt, Waubonsie quarterback Dylan Warden followed with a 1-yard score.

Waubonsie defensive back Malik Spikener’s interception led to a 6-yard scoring pass to Austin Ameri. Larkin fumbled on the ensuing kickoff leading to Guido’s second touchdown on a 24 yard run and just like that the Warriors had 27-0 lead after one quarter.

“Our defense gave us great field position and we just went from there,” said Guido, who also added a 19-yard scoring run early in the second quarter to give the Warriors a commanding 34-0 lead.

Defensive linemen Zac Steele, Zack McCabe, and Trevor Hardin led the Warriors’ defense that limited Larkin to 144 total yards and also created 3 turnovers.

“Every week we come out with the same intensity and just keep up the pursuit,” said Steele of the Warriors’ defense.

Larkin’s JD Darke had a number of nice returns on Friday and also picked up an interception that led to a 2-yard scoring run by Drew Shore that cut the deficit to 34-7 with 5:55 remaining in the first half.

But Larkin senior quarterback Kyle Newquist was never able to find a rhythm completing 8-of-19 passes for 62 yards.

“They are tough,” said Larkin coach Mike Scianna of Waubonsie’s attack. “They are big kids and they run through tackles. We couldn’t make any halftime adjustments. That’s a program that is doing everything right.”

Waubonsie Valley kept up the intensity in the third quarter as Warden scored on a 6-yard run, Matt Salvo added a 25-yard scoring run, and Guido completed the scoring with a 40-yard run with the Warriors taking a 55-7 lead and a running clock entering the final quarter.

Now Waubonsie is hoping to keep things rolling in a critical game against Neuqua Valley next Friday.

“The upcoming game is the biggest game of the year,” said Guido, “We just have to keep playing the way we are.”