Early Defensive Stand Sparks Platte Valley to Victory Over Thunder

An early defensive stand by Platte Valley sparked them to a 40-26 victory over Nodaway Valley Friday. The game was hard-hitting, with some of the players having been teammates when North Nodaway and West Nodaway were cooping in football. The two quarterbacks, Aydan Blackford and Michael Cook, are best friends.

The game was played on a rain soaked field at Nodaway-Holt; unlike the Worth County-Albany game, in which it rained briefly before passing on, it absolutely drenched the field before the game. Nodaway Valley got the ball to start with and was moving the ball down the field behind Cook and a big offensive line. One of the Thunder backs, on a power sweep, reversed field and found daylight to the 20. They got as far as the 10, but a key goal line stand happened next. Landon Wiederholt got a sack, a bad snap pinned the Thunder at the 14, and Cook scrambled, but could only get to the 11 before being tackled. 

A 10 yard carry by Blackford got Platte Valley a first down after they were faced with third and six at the 15. A short pass turned into a big gain that put Platte Valley into Thunder territory at the 35. Then, Platte Valley slowly and methodically worked its way down the field until Lucky Ferry punched it in and Aydan Blackford ran in the extra points to make it 8-0. 

A long run got Nodaway Valley into Platte Valley territory at the 30, but a holding, a false start and an Andy Mattson tackle for loss derailed the drive and Platte Valley took over after a punt at the 20. They got a first down thanks to an offsides penalty to the 33. Platte Valley overcame a holding penalty as Blackford threw an 18 yard strike to the 40 and Leland Otto got a first down run to the Thunder 35. On fourth and ten from there, Blackford scrambled 17 yards to the 18. Another holding penalty backed them up to the 28, but on fourth and nine at the 17, Mason Casner bounced outside for a touchdown in the second quarter and Aydan Blackford, running out of the swinging gate, dove into the end zone for the extra points to make it 16-0.

The ensuing kickoff was mishandled by Nodaway Valley and Platte Valley buried them at the 5. They went three and out, and Mason Casner returned it 20 yards to the Thunder 20. Casner subsequently caught a 20 yard strike from Aydan Blackford and ran in the extra points, and Platte Valley led 24-0.

The game was marred by a controversial ejection of Leland Otto, which occurred on the next series. As Nodaway Valley was threatening to score, the video replay shows that a Thunder player fired off the ball and drive blocked Otto back several yards, a totally legal play. The whistle blew, and both players disengaged. But the referees not only threw a phantom late hit penalty on Otto, but ejected him from the game. 

Nodaway Valley subsequently scored and cut their deficit to 24-6 at the break. But the ejection did not stop Platte Valley, which recovered the squib kick attempt at their own 29 to start the second half. They inserted Jayden Strum in at Otto's spot and he stepped right up and Platte Valley kept moving the ball. Carries by Casner and Strum moved the ball down to the Thunder 14 before a holding penalty backed them up to the 24. Casner got six back to the 18, and then Aydan Blackford dropped back to pass, Brandon McQueen blocked and released his man, and was wide open to make it 32-6 after Lucky Ferry ran in the extra points.

The Thunder made frantic efforts to get back into the game, cutting it to 32-20 as Platte Valley was playing ball control and running down the clock. Making all four of their extra points was crucial for Platte Valley, as they were still in control up two scores. Platte Valley countered as they drove to the 16 before Blackford threw a strike to Lane Acklin to make it 40-20. Nodaway Valley countered, but it was too late as Platte Valley was able to seal the win.