NOOKSACK – Some people might say that the game didn’t mean anything. But, try and tell a Pioneer player, coach or fan that. The Nooksack Valley football team finished the league schedule with a win over state-bound Mount Baker last week, and it finished the season with a 26-16 win over 3A Stanwood at Sid Lambert Field on Friday night.
After multiple teams decided against playing the Pioneers in a week 10 game, the Spartans stepped up after the same thing happened to them.
It was a close game through the first three quarters, with both teams scoring a touchdown in each of the first two quarters. Both defenses pitched a shutout in the third quarter, and it was Nooksack Valley that came though with a pair of big scoring plays in the final quarter of the season.
Seniors Austin O’Bryan and Evan Neitling finished their tremendous careers in quality fashion, and they hooked up one last time on a 63-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to put the Pioneers in the lead. Nooskack Valley forced a turnover on downs on the ensuing drive, and two plays later it was sophomore Scout Whittern who took the handoff and sprinted 24 yards for a touchdown with 2:21 left in the game.
The Pioneer defense was strong all evening, and was led by seniors Landon Bruland and Hayden Hester. Bruland, the 6-foot-3 defensive end, was nearly unblockable as he sacked the Stanwood quarterback three times. Hester was able to get a tackle for loss and a valuable fumble recovery.
O’Bryan had another great game to finish his career. He completed 14-of-28 passes for 277 yards. He also hit senior Ty Rawls on a 15-yard touchdown pass, and he also ran in a touchdown from three yards out. Neitling had another strong receiving game, catching five passes for a game-high 119 yards and a score.
Nooksack Valley (5-5) finished its season on a tremendous note, and this senior class will be missed by many.
Stanwood 16
Nooksack Valley 26
STA 8 8 0 0 – 16
NV 7 6 0 13 – 26
NV – O’Bryan 3 run (Conner kick)
STA – 28 yard pass (2pt good)
NV – Rawls 15 pass from O’Bryan (pass failed)
STA – 19 yard pass (2pt good)
NV – Neitling 63 pass from O’Bryan (Conner kick)
NV – Whittern 24 run (kick failed)
STA NV
42-148 Rushing Att-Yards 26-114
18-33-0 Comp-Att-Int 14-28-1
191 Passing yards 277
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – STA: N/A. NV: O’Bryan 16-51, Lackey 6-32, Whittern 2-32, Clawson 1-0, Neitling 1-(-1).
PASSING – STA: N/A. NV: O’Bryan 14-28-1-277
RECEIVING – STA: N/A. NV: Neitling 5-119, Veening 5-78, Rawls 4-80.
