SHORELINE – Nooksack Valley continued its dominance in a 47-7 win over King’s on Friday night. It started early when quarterback Austin O’Bryan launched the ball deep down the right sideline on the first play from scrimmage. Senior wide receiver Evan Neitling made a great grab out in front of his body, and took it all the way for a 76-yard touchdown.
Unfortunately, an early injury to Neitling forced the 170-pound playmaker out of the game, this after the Pioneers had already lost senior wide receiver Baylor Galley for the season due to a foot injury.
With injuries to multiple skill-guys, Nooksack Valley had to move some pieces around, and junior Cole Eldridge proved how versatile he is. Already the starting running back, he was moved outside to play wide receiver after Neitling went down. He showed tremendous hands, and he led the Pioneers in receiving with five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also finished the game up playing quarterback. Senior running back Devin Lackey took Eldridge’s spot at running back, and scored a touchdown in the third quarter.
O’Bryan had another outstanding game. He completed 11-of-19 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 128 yards and two more scores on 12 carries. 2011 graduate Tyler Perry is the only player in school history to pass and rush for over 1000 yards in the same season, and it appears that O’Bryan could be the second.
The Pioneer defense also played tremendous as a team. Junior lineman Easton Zylstra showed great strength up front, getting to the quarterback on numerous occasions and senior defensive back Ty Rawls intercepted a pass. Nooksack Valley held the Knights to just 82 yards of total offense.
Freshman Jordan Silva also got a late touchdown from 10 yards out.
The Pioneers (3-0) will begin league play on Friday by hosting Meridian (2-1) in what should be Nooksack Valley’s toughest game yet.
Nooksack Valley 47
King’s 7
NV 14 14 13 6 – 47
King’s 0 0 0 7 – 7
NV – Neitling 76 pass from O’Bryan (Conner kick)
NV – O’Bryan 3 run (Conner kick)
NV – Eldridge 22 pass from O’Bryan (Conner kick)
NV – Whittern 25 pass from O’Bryan (Conner kick)
NV – O’Bryan 41 run (kick blocked)
NV – Lackey 6 run (Conner kick)
K – 8 yard TD pass (kick good)
NV – Silva 10 run (no conversion attempted)
NV K
30-235 Rushing Att-Yards 18-31
11-19-1 Comp-Att-Int 10-23-1
240 Passing yards 51
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – NV: O’Bryan 12-128, Whittern 3-38, Lackey 5-31, Silva 2-12, Eldridge 5-11, Leyba 2-11. K: N/A.
PASSING – NV: O’Bryan 11-19-1-240. K: N/A
RECEIVING – NV: Eldridge 5-78, Neitling 2-86, Rawls 2-36, Whittern 1-25, Lackey 1-15. K: N/A.
