Storm Football Powers Past Potter-Dix

On an unseasonably cold late September night with a game time temperature of 33 degrees, the Creek Valley Storm football team remained hot, defeating the Potter-Dix Coyotes 64-to-27 for their third win in a row, and their first win at Combs field since 2006. It is also the first time the Storm have won three games in a row since 2009.

It was Homecoming Weekend for the Coyotes, and after the pre-game festivities were finished, Creek Valley started on offense and quickly moved down the field on a long run by Creek Valley sophomore Justin Ningen, followed by a 10 yard run up the middle by senior Sam Grabowski for the first touchdown of the game. A successful point after attempt made the score 7-to-0 in the Storm's favor, which was then followed by Potter-Dix fumbling on their first offensive play of the game resulting in another quick score by junior Patrick Hansen on a sweep into the right corner of the end zone increasing Creek Valley's lead to 14-to-0 after a successful point after attempt.

Potter-Dix did not fold and roll over, however, as they fought back with a long drive capped by sophomore Donnie Moench's 15 yard run up the middle for a touchdown, and after a failed point after attempt, the Coyotes had narrowed the Storm's lead to 14-to-6. Creek Valley then went on another drive ending in a Justin Ningen 15 yard blast up the middle for another Storm touchdown, increasing their lead to 20-to-6 after a failed point after attempt. Again, the Coyotes fought back by driving down the field into Creek Valley territory, and cashing in with a touchdown on senior Issak Glanz's one-yard drive up the middle. The score was narrowed to 20-to-14 after a successful point after attempt, Creek Valley then scored again, making the score 26-to-20, and then Potter-Dix struck back, driving down the field and scoring on a Glanz four yard TD run to bring the score to 26-to-20 in Creek Valley's favor.

Again, Creek Valley struck right back, with Patrick Hansen returning the kickoff 68 yards for another touchdown, but the Coyotes caught a big break on their next drive. With the Coyotes backed up on their own 1 yard line on 4th down, they chose to punt and the ball hit Hansen's leg during coverage, and Potter-Dix recovered the live ball, giving them possession and a chance to shift the momentum in their favor. But they were unable to cash in, and Creek Valley scored again prior to the end of the second quarter, bringing the score to 38-to-20 in favor of the visitors at halftime.

Potter-Dix was unable to recover, and Creek Valley scored another 26 points in the second half to Coyote's 7 in the fourth quarter, to end the game with a 64-to-27 victory and a three game win streak going into into the bye week.

Potter-Dix head coach Dale Frerichs said after the game, "We were in it at halftime, but we committed way too many penalties and turnovers over the course of the game. Creek Valley did a good job taking advantage of our mistakes." Potter-Dix falls to 1-and-4 on the season and travels to South Platte on Friday to take on the Blue Knights.

Creek Valley head coach Joe Kupper was pleased with his team's effort, saying, "I'm extremely proud of the effort tonight, and it all started up front with our linemen Tucker Graeff, Rhett Dykstra, and Oakley Hodges having their best outing of the season. Freshman Drew Fraass did a great job stuffing up the middle at nose guard on defense. Justin Ningen, Sam Grabowski, and Patrick Hansen took advantage of the great blocking and all three rushed very well tonight."

Creek Valley improved their record to 3-and-3 on the season and head into their bye week.

Coach Kupper commented on the timing of their week off, saying, "Our bye week is in a great place for us to get healed up and prepare for South Platte in two weeks. We want to keep this momentum rolling into the last two weeks of the season."