LINDSBORG, Kan. – After two tough weeks against Hesston and Andale, Smoky Valley bounced back on Friday night with a 29-7 win over Nickerson in 3A District 6 play.
The Vikings jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play. After stopping Nickerson their first drive, Smoky Valley drove 55 yards in nine plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Crew Elliott. The Panthers had a three-and-out on their second possession and Andrew Lochard had a 45-yard punt return that set up the next score for Smoky Valley. Lochard was the recipient of a 13-yard touchdown pass from Ty Heitschmidt to put the Vikings up by 14.
The score stayed the same until late in the third quarter. With 16 seconds left, Nickerson had their biggest play of the night on a trick play that resulted in a touchdown. Running back Rylan Morrell found Austin Peterson on a 47-yard halfback pass for a score to cut the lead to 14-7 after three.
Smoky Valley had the response again, though. Elliott had a one-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings up 22-7 after a two-point run by Jack Opat. Opat added a 19-yard touchdown run with 3:27 remaining to extend the lead to 22. Just six seconds of game play later, Lochard registered his first interception of the season on defense to put a stamp on the victory for Smoky Valley.
Smoky Valley finished with 284 total yards, rushing for 187 and adding 97 through the air. The rushing attack was balanced as Elliott finished with 74 yards and two scores, Heitschmidt ran for 61 yards and Opat had 52 yards and a score. Nickerson was held to just 160 yards of offense.
Smoky Valley improved to 3-4 overall and finished District 6 play at 1-3. The win was enough to clinch a spot in the 3A playoff bracket. Nickerson is 1-6 and 0-3 in the district with one more game remaining against Trinity Academy. The Knights are 1-2 in district play, but with the point differentials, Smoky Valley would still qualify in a three-way tie even if the Panthers would pick up the upset win.
Smoky Valley will have one more game to finish up the regular season as they host Hillsboro on Friday, October 24 in Lindsborg.
Score by Quarters
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | ||
| Smoky Valley | 14 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 29 | |
| Nickerson | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter: SV: Elliott 2 run (run failed) (5:35) (SV 6-0)
1st Quarter: SV: Lochard 13 pass from Hetischmidt (Opat run) (0:52) (SV 14-0)
3rd Quarter: Nickerson: Peterson 47 pass from Morrell (Monroe kick) (0:16) (SV 14-7)
4th Quarter: SV: Elliott 1 run (Opat run) (7:47) (SV 22-7)
4th Quarter: SV: Opat 19 run (Lindquist kick) (3:27) (SV 29-7)
Final Stats
Smoky Valley
Rushing: Elliott 21-74, 2 TD; Heitschmidt 11-61; Opat 8-52, TD, 2 PAT; Ratcliff 2-8; Lochard 1-3; Riedel 2-(-11)
Passing: Heitschmidt 9-13-97, TD
Receiving: Ratcliff 1-31; Anderson 3-34; Lochard 2-18, TD; Lohrey 3-14
Kicking: Lindquist 1-1 XP
Nickerson
Rushing: Morrell 19-66; Monroe 6-26; Wakefield-Baker 3-2
Passing: Morrell 1-1-47, TD; Monroe 4-12-39, INT
Receiving: Peterson 2-60, TD; Brawner 2-23; Welch 1-3
Kicking: Monroe 1-1 XP
