(Greenfield) Nodaway Valley went on the road Friday night and came away with a 20-0 win over North Mahaska. The victory is the Wolverine’s first ever postseason win**. They were 0-5 in their previous chances in 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013.
Nathan Russell was 11/21 for 108 yards and three scores. Tony Ayase carried 27 times for 133 yards. Adam Ayase tallied 71 yards on 10 carries. Caelen DeVault had four catches for 48 yards and a TD. Boston DeVault caught six balls for 42 yards and two TD’s. Matthew Weber had a team best seven tackles. Nodaway Valley limited North Mahaska to seven first downs and 1/8 on 3rd down conversions. Meanwhile the Wolverines posted 19 first downs and outgained their opponents in total yards, 325-61.
The win earns them a rematch against an Earlham team they lost to 21-14 in Week 6. Coach Matthess admits they, “Felt like that Earlham game was a game that was uncharacteristic. We made a lot of penalties that put us behind the chains and those are things you just can’t do against good teams. They kept their focus on North Mahaska. They are going to enjoy this one tonight, but I know that all of them are itching to play Earlham.”
The Wolverines are 3-5 overall. Earlham didn’t play Friday night in the first round as Wayne forfeited. The Cardinals posted a 4-2 regular season record.
**Prior to the formation of Nodaway Valley, Greenfield was a state runner-up in 1981
