Belle Plaine gets first win of season

NORTH ENGLISH — Losing can be tough, especially after coming off a 7-2 season, but growth can be seen even in losses.

The Belle Plaine football team picked up its first win of the season, 56-50, over English Valleys Friday.

“Huge win for us,” head coach Scott Nilles said. “Losing can be tough on the psyche, especially for the returners who had a lot of success last year.

“Those first three games, we built great depth and continued to get better even though the scoreboard didn’t go our way.”

The Plainsmen were in a battle from start to finish in this one.

With Belle Plaine leading 42-30 heading into the fourth, English Valleys scored 20 in the final period to make things interesting to the end.

“Eight-player is a game of runs, and every time EV went on a big run to make it close we answered right back,” Nilles said.

The biggest reason for the Plainsmen’s victory was their rushing attack.

Wade Sankot rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a punt return and on a receiving touchdown. Aidan Timm added another 134 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

“Offensively we were able to control the line of scrimmage,” Nilles said. “Our line play was 10 times better than previous games, and they helped open up some holes for Aidan and Wade.”

Timm also had an efficient passing night, going 7-11 with two touchdowns.

Early defensive stops played a key role in the win.

“Hopefully the momentum will carry us through homecoming next week and the rest of the season,” Nilles said.

Belle Plaine (1-3) welcomes WACO (3-1) and English Valleys (2-2) will play Sidney (2-3) at Graceland University.

Iowa Valley 70, HLV-TC 12

MARENGO — Iowa Valley continued its domination this season, moving to 5-0 with a big win over HLV-TC.

The Tigers totaled 10 touchdowns, with seven of them coming on the ground.

Nine different players carried the ball as the Tigers totaled 425 yards rushing.

Nolan Kriegel totaled seven touchdowns, which included a pick-six and a punt return for a score. He rushed for 174 yards on 12 carries.

Dane Smith exceeded 100 yards rushing with 101.

Defensively, Josh Read pulled in three interceptions.

HLV-TC scored both of its touchdowns in the second half.

Cael Weisskopf led the offense with 119 rushing yards and a score. Boston Roorda scored the Warriors’ other touchdown.

Iowa Valley (5-0) will be at Winfield-Mt. Union (1-3) Friday, and HLV-TC (1-3) will face Easton Valley (4-0) at home.

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C.R. Xavier 45, Williamsburg 14

WILLIAMSBURG — Class 4A No. 1 Xavier scored 31 unanswered points to start Friday’s game, as the Saints rolled to a victory over Williamsburg.

Quarterback Cash Parks threw for 256 yards and five touchdowns to lead Xavier’s efforts.

Dylan Weisskopf scored both touchdowns for the Raiders on receptions in the second half.

Williamsburg (1-3) will begin district play in 3A District 5 Friday at Des Moines Christian (4-0).

Lynnville-Sully 41, BGM 20

BROOKLYN — In Class A District 6 play, Lynnville-Sully used a 21-point second quarter to pull away from BGM.

Landon Hassett had another big game receiving for BGM, grabbing nine catches for 142 yards and a score.

Ethan Bridgewater and Caleb Rhoads also had touchdown catches.

BGM (2-2) will be back at home again Friday versus Martensdale-St. Mary’s (1-2). The Blue Devils will also play Monday against North Mahaska, making up a game that was postponed due to the death of a North Mahaska student.