Neuqua Valley handles Jacobs
Neuqua Valley scored on its first possession.
The Wildcats never looked back.
Spearheaded by a 171-yard, 4-touchdown effort by Will Chevalier the Wildcats invaded Algonquin and came away with a 38-21 nonconference win over Jacobs Friday night.
"We came out physical on the first drive and set the tempo," said Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus. "We know Jacobs is a very good team and we wanted to score first and play with the lead. We were very sharp on the first drive. We did a good job of mixing the pass with the run."
The Wildcats (3-2) milked 5 minutes and 7 seconds off the clock on the first drive of the game capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass from Mark Gronowski to Patrick Hoffmann with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter.
That was the score after 12 minutes of action.
Neuqua Valley seized control of the game by scoring 2 unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead. Chevallier scored on 2 runs of 4 yards as the Wildcats secured a 3-touchdown lead. The Neuqua Valley running back also scored on TD runs of 57 and 34 yards.
"We knew the first drive of the game was so important and we went right down the field and scored," said Chevalier. "It was nice to play with the lead. It was nice to have big Jake Bruner back. He and the whole offensive line were opening up huge holes. We knew we couldn't let up and we knew we had to keep building on the lead."
Ellinghaus praised his talented running back.
"Chevy (Chevallier) is a unique running back and talent," said Ellinghaus. "He is a great kid to coach. Like our team he set the tone on the first drive of the game."
Gronowski, completing 8-of-12 for 72 yards, threw a TD and an interception. Hoffman caught 2 passes for 36 yards including a TD.
Jacobs (3-2) quarterback Anthony Wilson, before leaving the game with an injury with 5:15 left in the third quarter, completed 5-of-9 passes for 84 yards with a 3-yard TD pass to Jake Michels.
Backup junior quarterback Cole Bhardwaj completed 7-of-15 passes for 103 yards including a 10-yard TD pass to Daniel Klein. Klein caught 4 passes for 70 yards while Joshua Hill snared 3 passes for 73 yards.
"Anthony's injury came on a noncontact play so that scares me." said Jacobs coach Bill Mitz. "Cole came in prepared and did a great job. The kids never quit. Neuqua is a big school with a class program. They are a very good team we wanted to play to get us ready for down the road."