Warriors control initial meeting with Jefferson

FESTUS — Junior quarterback Nolan Wood passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two more Friday night, leading Valle Catholic past Jefferson 48-14 in the first varsity game between the schools.

Tyler Fallert rumbled 46 yards on the Warriors’ third snap from scrimmage, and Wood capped an 11-play drive with a short sneak on their second drive.

Tristen Walsh returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a Jefferson score, but the Blue Jays would stall twice inside the Valle 30 before halftime.

Justin Roth caught two touchdown passes from Wood, including a 27-yard strike with five seconds left in the first quarter.

Valle (5-1) later scored twice within a span of seven seconds after covering a squib kick. Jerrod Davis reached the endzone on a 15-yard screen, and Roth caught a 30-yard pass to produce a 41-6 lead at the break.

Fallert punctuated the first Valle drive of the second half with a 1-yard run, and finished with a team-high 140 yards on 18 carries.

Wood was 8-of-12 overall for 160 yards after completing his first five pass attempts. His interception in the second quarter marked the game’s lone turnover.

Darrick Brumley notched a rushing touchdown and caught the subsequent 2-point conversion pass for Jefferson (2-4).

Blue Jays quarterback Austin Graves finished 5-of-8 for 79 yards.

The Warriors outgained Jefferson 350-96 in total first-half yardage. Jacob Trautman and Logan Tucker recorded sacks for the Valle defense.