The game was delayed over 45 minutes at halftime by rain and lightning, but the outcome would stay the same as the Falcons had built up a 22- 6 lead at the half. Elkhorn Valley played a fundamentally sound game on both offense and defense, sparked by an outstanding individual performance from sophomore Maddox Schaffer.
The win moves the Falcon’s season record to a perfect 3 -0.
Schaffer came up huge on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he recovered two fumbles, was credited with 4.5 tackles for a loss to go along with16 total tackles. He also snared two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touch down at a crucial point in the game.
On offense, Schaffer made a terrific adjustment on a ball thrown by Keaton Werener in the back of the endzone for another touchdown.
Jokingly, after the game, Schaffer was asked what he had for breakfast.
He replied, “Scrambled eggs.” Scrambled eggs may become the new breakfast of champions for the Falcons.
Coach Brandon Black said Schaffer put himself into a lot of good positions.
“Defensively, he played their speed option really well, got a pick six, a couple of fumble recoveries and a touchdown reception,” Black said. “On top of all of that, all of his kickoffs went into the endzone for touchbacks. It was a lot of fun to watch. He had a really good game.”
As a team, Black said his line played well.
“The kids were really physical versus their big interior linemen. Numbers 54, 44 and 81 are all big, strong players,” he said. “I do feel like it took us a little bit to get our execution going but our physicality was up there the entire game.”
In a somewhat unusual and unique halftime break of over 45 minutes, the players were forced to come back out and do an abbreviated pregame warmup.
“The kids were in the gym during that time,” he said. “I think it’s hard to come out when you were riding such a high right before half and have to try and match that intensity, so we challenged them about that and they answered the call.”
The offensive performance of senior wideout Logan Black should also not go unnoticed. The standout end hauled in six catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns while sophomore quarterback, Keaton Werener totaled 228 all-purpose yards.
The next game for Elkhorn Valley will match up a couple of undefeated teams when Wisner-Pilger travels to Tilden next week.
Elkhorn Valley 0 22 14 8 — 44 Creighton 0 600— 6 PASSING: Keaton Werner 11-19 164. RUSHING: Keaton Werner 22 64, Brendan Krick 6-46 1, Maddox Schaffer 1 3. Totals: 29 113. RECEIVING: Landon Meyer 2 7, Maddox Schaffer 3 24, Logan Black 1 145. Totals: 11 176. TACKLES: Chase Schwartz 9, Kohl Rutjens 2, Kellan Wilken 10, Jack Qualset 6, Landon Meyer 9, Brecken Penne 1,Maddox Schaffer16, Kale Hasebrook 3, Ethan Rutjens 1, Nathan Gilman 5, Tyler Suckstorf 7, Logan Black 9.
