Leipsic claims BVC title with win, L-B loss

RAWSON — In a game that featured three of the best running backs in the Blanchard Valley Conference, it’s only logical that a lanky quarterback made the difference.

Leipsic beat Cory-Rawson 28-7 in a conference-title clinching performance for the Vikings by Liam Nadler. The 6-foot-6, 193-pound junior threw for 155 yards on 8-of-13 passing — all in the first half — as the Vikings built an insurmountable 21-0 lead.

“We’ve been so close in decent weather to clicking, and he comes out in almost a monsoon and he makes some incredible throws,” Leipsic coach Joe Kirkendall said. “He made good decisions. We didn’t turn the ball over. He checked us into the right plays. I don’t think people realize how well he actually played in the first half.”

Kirkendall had his motivational speeches at the ready for next week’s match up with Liberty-Benton, which would have decided the BVC crown until the Eagles lost to Pandora-Gilboa, 26-14, on Friday. Regardless of what happens next week, the Vikings are conference champs.

“My middle child might have to come in and tell the players you don’t have to share. You can be greedy,” Kirkendall said. “We don’t want to slow down any right now.”

With the game still scoreless late in the first quarter, Nadler led the Vikings on a 15-play, 95-yard drive. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 73 yards, including three passes to Jay Maag for 51 yards.

The drive ended five minutes, 19 seconds after it began on a 1-yard dive from Nadler.

Leipsic converted four third downs on the drive, including one of 10 yards and another from 15.

“Our biggest problem was third down,” Hornets coach Andy Schafer said. “They got first downs when they were on third down, and we did not.”

Possibly just as important for the Vikings (8-1, 8-0 BVC) was the response from their defense. The Hornets (6-3, 6-2 BVC) gained 3 yards on their next possession, a three-and-out.

The Vikings responded with another TD, a 1-yard push over right guard for Derrick Schroeder. Nadler completed 2-of-3 for 45 yards on the drive.

“The defense comes right back on the field, got a stop and our special teams played well,” Kirkendall said. “Across the board, the entire team just did its job.”

The Hornets were forced into a one-dimensional team due to an arm injury to starting quarterback Jeremiah Alspach. Freshman Tyler Harris completed 9 of 23 passes for 101 yards, a score and two picks; 71 yards and the TD came in the fourth quarter.

Schafer declined to comment on the impact of switching QBs had on his squad, explaining he didn’t want to put pressure on a freshman.

John Anderson, the second-leading rusher in the BVC heading into the night, gained 52 yards on 18 carries for C-R. Teammate Ben Niese had 10 rushes for 62 yards.

“You have to stop the run. We had to stop John Anderson, who is a tremendous football player,” Kirkendall said. “Our game plan was to do just that.”

For Leipsic, Sonny Hernandez had 66 rushing yards and Schroeder another 61.