BonnerSprings.com

A dominant first-half performance on both sides of the ball proved to be the difference for the Mill Valley football team as it beat rival Bonner Springs, 48-26, Friday night at Jaguar Stadium.

The Jaguars scored four first-half touchdowns and built a 27-0 lead by intermission. That was enough of a cushion to keep Bonner Springs at a safe distance even as the Braves gained momentum during the final two quarters.

Mill Valley set the tone on the opening drive. The Jaguars marched 65 yards on eight plays, six of them runs by tailback Kendall Short. A 20-yard touchdown pass from Skyler Windmiller to L.J. Hatch capped the drive, and Andrew Wesp’s extra point gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead barely three minutes into the game.

It didn’t take long for the lead to grow. A botched snap on Bonner Springs’ punt attempt gave Mill Valley first down at the Braves’ 23. Five plays later, Short scored on a 1-yard run and Mill Valley took a 14-0 lead with 6:08 left in the opening quarter.

After three straight three-and-outs — two by BSHS and one by Mill Valley — the Jaguars threatened to score again. An interception by Joseph Dooley at the 5-yard line kept the Jaguars out of the end zone, but only temporarily. After another Bonner Springs punt, Mill Valley rattled off a nine-play, 81-yard drive that took 3:43. Windmiller completed two passes to Henry Midyett during the drive, including one for a 19-yard touchdown.

Windmiller threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Rice with 1:38 left in the second quarter. The extra point was blocked, but the Jaguars took a 27-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Mill Valley dominated both sides of the ball during the first two quarters as the Jaguars’ offense piled up 296 total yards and the defense limited Bonner Springs to just 39 yards.

Bonner Springs fumbled and turned the ball over on the first play of the third quarter. Mill Valley promptly capitalized with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Windmiller to Hatch on a fly pattern down the right sideline. After the 2-point conversion, Mill Valley led 35-0 with 10:39 left in the third quarter.

Bonner Springs finally gained some traction on its next possession. The Braves rattled off a seven-play, 72-yard drive. Most of the ground was covered by running back J.J. Jackson on six carries, the final one going for 15 yards and a touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but the Braves were within 35-6.

On the ensuing possession, Mill Valley was driving when Short fumbled and Bonner Springs’ Darian Neal scooped it up and raced 67 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good, but BSHS was within 35-12 with 4:24 left in the third quarter.

Mill Valley responded with touchdowns on its next two possessions. Windmiller dumped off a short pass to Short who juked a linebacker, popped to the outside and raced to the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Short added a 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter as the lead grew to 48-12.

Bonner Springs scored twice in the final five minutes on big plays. Jourdaine Smallwood rolled to his left and hit Knernschield who did the rest of the work with his legs racing down the sideline for a 71-yard touchdown.

Smallwood also connected with Stevie Williams for a 67-yard touchdown for the final score of the night.

Mill Valley (2-0) next plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at home against Tonganoxie. Bonner Springs (1-1) plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at home against Turner.

Check back later for a full recap of the game.

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