The Kewanee Boilers were prepared to face Bureau Valley’s run attack Friday night in Manlius, but it was Kewanee’s defensive secondary that came up big against the Storm.
The Boilermakers picked off three first half passes and all three resulted in Kewanee touchdowns. The Boilers went on to win the high scoring affair, 42-20. Kewanee remains undefeated at 4-0 and 2-0 in TRAC play. BV is 2-2 and 1-1.
After BV punted on their first possession, Kewanee marched 78 yards for their first score. A majority of that yardage was due to the strong running of Alex Duarte. In all, the fleet-footed junior ran 53 yards. On a 4th and goal at the 2, Duarte finished off the drive with a short run up the middle. Braden Clark’s PAT kick was good for a 7-0 lead.
After a deep kick by Clark, BV’s Corban Chhim had a nice return up to their own 46. At midfield and facing 4th and 4, the Storm opted to go for the first down.
The gamble didn’t pay off. Bryce Helm’s pass attempt was blocked and caught by Kewanee’s Cruz Paredes.
Now, at the BV 47, Clark pump faked a pass and then unleashed a bomb to a streaking Ben Taylor. The Boilers were able to capitalize on the 40-yard pass play a few downs later when Colson Welgat caught a 5-yarder in the end zone. The KHS lead was now 14-0.
Clark then booted the ball down to the 37 yard line. On the Storm’s second play of the possession, Clark had the good read and picked off another BV pass attempt. He scampered 21 yards and down to BV’s 16 yards line.
On the ensuing play, Brady again found Welgat in the end zone to tack on another 6 points. After Brady’s PAT kick, the Boilers’ lead grew to 21-0 with 8:47 remaining in the half.
Another deep kick by Clark had the Storm pinned at their own 27 yard line. Kewanee’s stifling defense thwarted any forward movement by the Storm.
Facing a third and 10 situation, Helms again attempted to pass but it was this time it was intercepted by Landon Mason.
Ultimately, Clark kept the ball and followed his blockers from 17 yards out and into the end zone. Clark’s fourth PAT kick of the game was good and the Boilers were up 28-0.
The Storm mounted a nice drive during the remaining five minutes of the first half. BV’s backfield, comprised of Chhim, Cameron Lemons and Elijah Endress, led the charge upfield. The Storm made it to Kewanee’s 21, but the drive stalled there.
Clark connected with Davontae Jordan for a 34-yard pass play down to the BV 18. Clark then scrambled in the pocket before finding an open Brady Schiltz for another Boiler TD and a 35-0 score.
The Storm got on the board with three minutes left in the third quarter. Helms threw to Eli Attig for a 40-yard TD pass play. After the PAT kick, the score was 35-7.
The final dagger came when Clark again connected with Taylor on a 17-yard TD pass. Clark’s last PAT kick counted and lead mounted, 42-7
Coach Matt Taylor removed the majority of his starters with eight minutes left in the game.
The Storm tacked on two scores in the closing minutes. Endress had a one yard TD (missed PAT) and Payton Walowski finished off a long BV drive for the final score of 42-20.
