ELGIN — Class D-3’s top ranked Central Valley Cougars put on a show Friday night.
It started out as a thriller then quickly became a rout as the Cougars scored 38 first quarter points and went on to defeat the Wolfpack 68 to 6.
“I thought our boys battled hard,” Co-Coach Nick Heithoff said. “Every once in a while you just kind of have to tip your hat to them and say good luck with the rest of the year.”
“We did a bunch of good things. I thought our effort was good overall. I thought our physicality was good.”
Central Valley’s speed and quickness proved to be too much on this night as the Wolfpack managed just 70 yards of total offense in the game.
The Cougars’ offense overwhelmed the Wolfpack defense, racking up 447 yards of total offense.
Doing much of the damage for the Cougars was junior William Pokorny. He scored Central Valley’s first four touchdowns and finished the game with 131 yards rushing on just six carries.
The Wolfpack’s lone touchdown came in the first quarter when Evin Pelster ran a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown.
“I just put my head forward and ran as fast as I can,” Pelster said about his kickoff return.
Aside from Pelster’s exciting kickoff return, other highlights for the Wolfpack in the game were:
• Braedon Hinkle’s 18-yard miraculous reception in the fourth quarter. He went up for the ball and it bounced off his hands, then as he fell on his back he made the reception.
• Freshman Cecil Shavlik averaged more than four yards per carry, finishing as the team’s leading rusher with 17 yards.
• Junior Max Henn had a team-high six tackles. He recovered one fumble.
• Freshman Cael Bottorf had a quarterback sack.
• Senior Michael Selting had an interception to end a Cougar drive in the first half.
The Wolfpack’s effort was hurt by five players who suffered injuries which kept them on the sideline for a period of time or knocked them out of the game. Coach Heithoff said he was optimistic the injured players will be available for the next game.
The best thing about Friday night’s game? It’s over. Coaches Matt Euse and Heithoff told the players to focus on what they did well in the game and focus on the team’s next opponent.
…see more at this week’s Elgin Review.
