First Quarter explosion sends Central Valley past Elgin/Pope John

Central Valley sophomore Jackson McIntyre (Left)scored 5 TDs in a 72-22 win over Elgin Public/Pope John Thursday. Pictured on the right is former Greeley-Wolbach RB Ed Smyth, now a fine play by play broadcaster. *(photo by Bobby Mills)

WOLBACH, NE

So, how did Central Valley sophomore quarterback, Jackson McIntyre top last week’s 12.7 yards a pop, 330 yards rushing on 26 carries performance at Giltner? Not a problem. When given the opportunity to carry the football only 7 times, you average 27.4 yards a tote on your way to 192 yards and 4 touchdowns. And that’s not including a 65 yard scoring jaunt that was erased by a block in the back penalty on the Cougars.

When Central Valley’s 72-22 win over Elgin Public/Pope John was in the books, Jackson McIntyre ended up with 4 rushing touchdowns (15, 55, 58, 45 yard runs), a 48 yard punt return touchdown, and was on the throwing end of touchdown passes to sophomore classmates Morgan Behnk (20 yards) and Ty Nekoliczak (30 yards). Not a bad night’s work for the sensational sophomore.

Playing with short numbers (13 players) and the loss of leading rusher Kyle Schumacher, Head Coach Randy Eisenhauer’s Wolfpack seemed behind the 8-Ball from the onset in this game

By the time the Wolfpack had crossed midfield for the first time and registered their initial first down, Central Valley had already sprinted to a 32-0 first quarter lead.

The Cougars would then extend their lead to 40-0 on Jackson McIntyre’s 58 yard scoring sprint, before Elgin/Pope John finally answered back.

Wolfpack senior RJ Lierman picked off an errant pass by Central Valley freshman reserve QB Carson Corman, and promptly returned it 25 yards for the Pick 6 score. Wolfpack junior RB Cory Romeji added an additional score on short 1 yard burst that actually cut the Central Valley lead to 40-16 at the half.

It took only 12 seconds for the Cougars to score in the 3rd quarter when speedy Ty Nekoliczak weaved his way through the Elgin/Pope John kickoff team defense for a sparkling 69 yard kick return touchdown. Two minutes, seven seconds later, Jackson McIntyre displayed his Aurora/Baylor Scheierman-like quick release trigger, nailing Ty Nekoliczak for a 30 yard scoring strike.

McIntyre then found Moran Behnk all alone in the right corner of the end zone for the double PAT, setting the 40 point/running clock into effect with 8:51 left in the 3rd stanza.

Elgin/Pope John kept on fighting though, and brought the game back into regular clock mode when good looking senior quarterback QB Hunter Reestman hit classmate RJ Lierman for a 30 yard touchdown.

Central Valley restarted the 40 point running clock eleven ticks into the 4th quarter when Jackson McIntyre uncorked an electrifying 45 yard scoring run down the the Wolfpack sidelines. The Cougar star broke numerous tackles, twisting, turning, gaining and regaining his balance, all the way to paydirt.

Ole’ Jackson saved the highlight reel for last, pulling the entire thing off right in front of yours truly.

Central Valley ran a sweep right/sweep left offense in the remaining 4th quarter, consuming clock and alternating carries between hard running freshman Kyle Oakley (5-6, 130) and wirey 6-1 junior Cameron Kelly, another runner that packs a punch for Jess Rother’s Cougars.

In addition to Jackson McIntyre’s 192 yards rushing, the sophomore finished with 78 yards passing, hitting on 6 of 7 attempts, and the pair of aerial scores. Oakley and Kelly combined for 72 rushing yards for the night, with Kyle Oakley scoring the final tally of the night on a 10 yard sprint around his right side. The run was aided by great seal-off blocking by that Central Valley offensive line.

Central Valley (2-1) opens Class D-2 District 5 play at home in Wolbach next week, hosting tough Clearwater/Orchard, currently rated #7 in D-2, going into this Friday’s game with West Holt.

Elgin Public/Pope John (1-2) will regroup, then open Class D-2, District 4 play next Friday when they host Plainview.

……………………………..1……..2……..3……..4……….F

Elgin/Pope John (1-2).......0…….16…….6……..0………22

Central Valley (2-1)..........32……..8…...16……16……...72

1st Qtr………………………………………………………………………….EPJ..CV

CV - Kordayian Thorin - 5 run……………………...PAT-run failed…………0…..6

CV - Jackson McIntyre 48 yard Punt Return……..PAT-Ty Nikoliczak run..0….14

CV - McIntyre 15 run………………………………...PAT-run failed………...0….20

CV - McIntyre 55 run……………………………...…PAT-run failed………...0….26

CV - Morgan Behnk 20 pass from McIntyre……….PAT-run failed….……..0….32

2nd Qtr

CV - McIntyre 58 run…………………………………PAT-Damyn Rother run 0...40

EPJ - RJ Lierman 25 INT Return…………………...PAT-Conor Ramold run.8...40

EPJ - Cody Romeji 1 run…………………………....PAT-Ramold run……….16..40

3rd Qtr

CV - Ty Nikoliczak 69 Kick-Return………………....PAT-Thorin run………...16..48

CV - Nikoliczak 30 pass from McIntyre…………….PAT-McIntyre to Behnk.16..56

EPJ - Lierman 30 pass from Hunter Reestman…..PAT-pass failed………...22..56

4th Qtr

CV - McIntyre 45 run………………………………...PAT-Kyle Oakley run…..22..64

CV - Kyle Oakley 10 run…………………………….PAT-Corman run……….22..72