A 2nd half surge by Kingsley Pierson-River Valley led to a 27-7 win over Alta Aurelia in Kingsley.
The Warriors struck first with 4:13 remaining in the opening quarter. A three play, 84 yard drive was capped off with a 79 yard touchdown pass from Camden Reinert to Gavin Sleezer, and Sleezer’s point-after made it 7-0. Sleezer intercepted a pass on the ensuing KP-RV possession, but the Panthers defense came up with a pick of their own, which gave them the ball back at the opponents 34. KP-RV put together a five-play 34 yard touchdown drive that ended with a 20 yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7. Hayden Garlow came up with an interception for the Warriors defense late in the 1st half, and the 7-7 score held up at halftime.
The first five 2nd half possessions resulted in punts. A 48 yard touchdown pass with 1:48 to go in the 3rd quarter gave KP-RV the lead for good. Another touchdown pass of 37 yards, and then a three yard touchdown run set up by a long interception return completed the scoring.
Of the 28 total drives in the game, 13 of them consisted of three plays or less. The KP-RV defense came away with five interceptions. KP-RV’s offense had 293 yards, and Alta Aurelia had 233. Reinert threw for 146 yards, and rushed for 38. Sleezer had six receptions for 120 yards. DJ Rodriguez had four catches for 49 yards.
Alta Aurelia will play host to Hartley Melvin Sanborn next Friday in Aurelia.
