MONTEZUMA – The total yards gained in the Montezuma-Easton Valley football game might take longer to count up than votes in Monday’s Presidential election.
But the result is in: A stunning 62-35 Braves win over the River Hawks in a Class 8 quarterfinals round game Friday evening, Nov. 6, at Badger-Gabriel Field.
The victory sends the 10-0 Braves to the semifinals in the UNIDome on Thursday, Nov. 12. They’ll play at 9 a.m. against Remsen-St. Mary’s.
The stunning part of this win was the margin. The Braves forced a continuous clock when they went up 62-22 with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. Easton Valley’s only other defeat had been 54-34, to defending state champion Don Bosco.
Montezuma’s offensive line continually gave quarterback Eddie Burgess time to throw. He fired seven touchdown passes – including four to senior wide receiver Kodie Strong, a season high for him. Burgess threw for 517 yards on 29 connects in 43 attempts.
Montezuma’s receiving dynamic duo, Trey Shearer and Cole Watts, often drew teaming attention from a quick Easton Valley secondary.
But Strong often drew one-on-one coverage. His job was to beat his man, which he did, then Burgess dropped in the passes. Strong had eight catches totaling 189 yards.
Burgess threw two touchdown passes to Trey Shearer, and one to Cole Watts. Burgess also ran for a touchdown, as did Watts. Burgess rushed for 65 yards, and Watts rushed for 76 – on a spectacular option pitch from Burgess on a play that started on the Braves’ one-yard line.
All that running had to wear on the River Hawks, who had to feel they were chasing never-stop college receivers. Easton Valley on offense resorted to a short passing and running combination in the second half, which served to help kill clock for the Braves.
The Braves’ flow to the outside on defense helped to slow a number of Easton Valley drives that looked promising. The River Hawks were not able to score in the third quarter, when it seemed they were always looking at third down and four – or more – to go.
Easton Valley hurt itself with three turnovers in the first half.
Montezuma led 13-6 through one quarter, 40-22 at halftime, and 62-22 after three periods.
The River Hawks closed the books on a 9-2 season.
COME BACK to this website later in the weekend, when we’ll have much more about this game.
UP NEXT – The state semifinals, Thursday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m., against Remsen St. Mary’s. Place: The UNIDome in Cedar Falls.
Stats vs. Easton Valley
Passing – Eddie Burgess was 29-for-43 for 517 yars, with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
Rushing – Cole Watts 1-76, one touchdown; Eddie Burgess 20-68, one touchdown; Kodie Strong 1-(-1).
Receiving – Kodie Strong 8-189 with four touchdowns; Trey Shearer 11-156, with two touchdowns; Cole Watts 8-141 with one touchdown; Joey Kercheval 2-31.
Tackles – Eddie Burgess 15.0, Trey Shearer 10.0, Cole Watts 9.0, Connor Van Zee 7.0, Brian Diaz 4.5, Joey Kercheval 3.5, Masin Shearer 3.0, Tyler Vanderford 3.0, Brady Ogan 1.5.
Interceptions – Masin Shearer 1, Cole Watts 1, Trey Shearer 1. Kicking – Owen Cook 10 kickoffs, 9 touchbacks, 485 yards. PATs – 4 for 6.
Punts – Trey Shearer 4 for 118 yards, 29.5 average.