Valle forces key turnovers, rushes through St. Vincent

By MATT KING
mking@dailyjournalonline.com
PERRYVILLE, Mo. – The Valle Catholic football team avenged a frustrating loss from last season by flipping the turnover margin and establishing its rushing attack on Friday night.
Dual quarterbacks Sam Kuehn and Andrew Schilly each surpassed triple-digit yardage on the ground, and the Warriors protected their possessions throughout a 42-7 triumph over St. Vincent.
Valle Catholic (2-0) overcame nine penalties, and forced the only three turnovers of the rematch after committing four last time out against the Indians.
Kuehn provided an impressive 80-yard run late in the first quarter, and fired touchdown passes to both Colby Basler and Kaden Williams.
Senior linebacker Kalan Fallert totaled eight tackles for the defense, and forced a fumble on a jarring hit that temporarily sidelined woozy starting tailback Jack Seabaugh.
The Warriors amassed an unofficial 294-191 advantage in total yards before halftime, and created a comfortable 27-0 lead after capitalizing on excellent field position.
St. Vincent (0-2) had just gone three-and-out after being pinned at its 5 on a punt by Kuehn. On the ensuing snap, he executed a 31-yard touchdown strike to Basler down the right side.
The Indians drove 80 yards and responded for their lone points of the unseasonably cool contest after flags for unsportsmanlike conduct and targeting resulted in free first downs.
Tackles for loss by Fallert and Tristan Fischbeck were trumped when Carson House powered ahead for 13 yards. Quarterback Wyatt Winkler then scored up the middle on a keeper from the 6.
Valle Catholic had 1:34 remaining until intermission, and calmly countered. Kuehn scrambled for 19 yards, then connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Williams toward the left pylon.
A flag was debated and picked up, allowing the original play to stand with 6 seconds on the clock. The Warriors roared into the intermission with a 34-7 cushion.
Schilly compiled 109 yards on 14 carries, and capped a disjointed opening possession with a 15-yard scoring run that included solid blocking along the left edge.
Valle Catholic had been pushed back four separate times by penalties, but converted a massive fourth-and-20 as Evan Viox took a quick pass and barreled through traffic to gain 22 yards.
St. Vincent spent the remainder of the night chasing from behind. Ben Oberle made the first of his six solo tackles in the backfield to coax an initial three-and-out series.
The Indians reached the red zone of their second possession, but stalled on an incomplete pass after Kellan Pitts moved the chains on an 11-yard catch and Carson House exploded for a 53-yard run.
Kuehn saw his first offensive action on the third Valle drive, and accelerated down the right sideline after dodging one defender and cutting past another to invigorate his team.
Two-way lineman Levi Chapman recovered a fumble at the St. Vincent 27 moments later, and Kalan Fallert was rewarded for his physical impact by scoring on a 16-yard run for a 20-0 lead.
Winkler made his first start at quarterback after sitting out last week, and zipped a deep ball to Andrew Hotop for 43 yards. But defensive lineman Chase Reed read and intercepted his next pass.
Andrew Schumer, who endured numerous punishing hits in week 1 against Ste. Genevieve, replaced Winkler in the third quarter and was picked off by Kuehn on his second snap.
Valle Catholic followed with a 14-play drive that consumed eight minutes. Viox, who totaled five receptions, lunged forward to narrowly move the chains on a fourth-down measurement.
Evan Fallert added his longest carry of 11 yards before a dropped pass halted the march, but the Warriors eventually set a turbo clock into motion.
After taking over at the St. Vincent 47, Schilly kept the first snap for an awarded touchdown despite stepping out of bounds near the 13. Basler added the two-point conversion catch with 11:46 left.
Kuehn was 5-of-8 overall for 84 yards, and added 112 yards on just four rushing attempts. Schilly completed 4-of-8 throws for 35 yards.
Valle Catholic, state-ranked in Class 3, will open conference play next Friday against Potosi.
Seabaugh sacked Schilly on the opening possession of the game, and returned in the third quarter for the Indians. Adam Brickhaus batted down a pass, and made two tackles for loss.
House finished with 92 yards on eight carries, and Potts contributed a team-high three receptions in defeat. Winkler was 7-of-17 passing for 106 yards.