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Waubonsie Valley wraps up season with victory vs. DeKalb

Waubonsie Valley completed the football season sweep of DeKalb with a 28-14 victory Friday night to close out both teams' 2021 season.

The sendoff for the Warriors seniors was highlighted by two touchdown catches by senior wide receiver Tyler Helbing and a touchdown run by senior running back Jacob Razo.

Waubonsie Valley coach Tom Baumgartner said it was another hard-fought game between the two schools. The Warriors (3-6) also defeated DeKalb 17-10 on Oct. 1.

"I always love playing DeKalb because you know it's going to be physical," Baumgartner said. "In a situation where neither team's playing for a playoff berth, it's all about having a little more pride. We have a great group of seniors and I'm proud of them."

The two teams combined for 25 penalty flags, with DeKalb taking 14. To DeKalb coach Derek Schneeman, finishing 2-7 in his first year with the Barbs, the penalties summed up the 2021 season.

"I probably sound like a broken record by now, but the bottom line is we're too undisciplined," Schneeman said. "That starts with me. We made too many mistakes to win football games against 8A competition."

DeKalb took 6:30 off the clock on its opening possession before junior Jamari Brown finished the drive with a 20-yard rushing touchdown. In the second quarter Waubonsie Valley tied the game with a 2-yard Razo touchdown run.

After trading rushing touchdowns the Barbs and Warriors traded passing scores before halftime. The Barbs regained the lead on a 9-yard touchdown catch by senior Toriano Tate.

A trick play on the ensuing kick return netted the Warriors an 88-yard return. Sophomore quarterback Luke Elsea found Helbing for a 12-yard touchdown pass to make the game tied at halftime.

"We've been practicing (the kick return) the last five weeks," Baumgartner said. "It's a little trickery. It's Week 9 and we're having some fun. That really turned the momentum after they scored and got it close."

On the Warriors' opening drive of the second half, Elsea connected with Helbing again for a 15-yard touchdown.

The Barbs held the Warriors in check on their next drive, but a punt by Waubonsie Valley landed right on the heel of a DeKalb returner. The Warriors recovered and regained control inside the red zone.

To close out the third quarter Warriors senior Ethan Quaye scored a 7-yard touchdown with a one-handed catch to make the score the eventual final of 28-14.

In Schneeman's first year with the Barbs, the team will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

"I told the seniors I loved them and I'll always be there for them if they need anything," Schneeman said. "I owe a lot to them for buying into my first year in DeKalb. They always worked hard week in and week out, even wins and losses wise we aren't where we wanted to be. For the underclassman, it's about buying in and working extremely hard in the off-season."

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