The Tri-Valley Mustangs took the pre-season #1 Winner Warriors to triple overtime in Winner on Friday, August 18th, but the Warriors won the defensive battle 8-0.
The majority of the offense for both teams was on the ground, but both defenses held strong all game long. Neither team was able to get a major scoring threat together through the first four quarters of play.
Winner got the ball in the first overtime. The Mustang defense kept the Warriors out of the endzone, which included two pass breakups on third and fourth down. On Tri-Valley’s first overtime possession, the Mustangs ran the ball four four yards and then tried a field goal to win the game. The field goal sailed just wide right, which sent the game to a second overtime. The Mustangs got the ball first in the second overtime. Their possession ended after a fumble on second down that was recovered by Winner. On a third and nine play for Winner, the Warriors got stood up on the one-yard like by the Mustang defense. Winner then fumbled the snap on their fourth down play extended the game to a third overtime.
The Warriors got the ball first again in the third overtime. On second down the Warriors found the endzone on a 12-yard run. They made the two point conversion for an 8-0 lead. Tri-Valley had a chance to get a touchdown on a halfback pass, but the throw fell just short and incomplete. On their fourth down play, the Mustang’s pass was intercepted to end the game.
Tri-Valley finished with 181 yards of total offense, 160 rushing and 21 passing. Winner finished with 205 yards of total offense, 197 rushing and eight passing. The Mustangs turned the ball over three times, while Winner had two turnovers.
Eli McFarland had 66 rushing yards. Colby Carruthers finished with 39 rushing yards, and Brody Dybvig had 31 rushing yards. Dybvig was also 1-1 passing for 21 yards. Trey Johnson had the only catch. Isaac Nehlich finished with seven tackles and a sack. Carruthers also had seven tackles. McFarland finished with six tackles. Landyn Reiser, Dybvig, and Brendan Newman all had four tackles each. Carter Sorenson had an interception, and Luke Nehlich had a fumble recovery.
