Roughriders Blank Storm, 36-0

Mike Motz, Sidney Sun-Telegraph

CHAPPELL-- After a quick burst of points, the visitors did not wait long to get their substitutes into the action last Thursday night as the Creek Valley Storm hosted the Southwest Roughriders. Creek Valley is still winless on the season, suffering their second shutout loss in a row.

Southwest started the game with the ball and quickly moved down the field to score. At 6-to-0, the Roughriders held the Storm, then the visitors went on another drive. The Roughriders got all the way down to the Creek Valley one yard line, but were unable to punch the ball in, and the turnover on downs gave the Storm a first and ten on their own one yard line. Disaster struck on the first play of the series, when a fumbled hand off was recovered by Creek Valley in the end zone, increasing the Roughriders' lead to 8-to-0.

After the free kick had the Roughriders start at their own 31, they started the drive with a big run of about thirty yards that was called back on a holding penalty. It didn't matter as on the next play, the Roughriders connected with a mid-range pass that was taken up the right sideline for a touchdown. A missed extra point moved the score to 14-to-0. Creek Valley again started deep in their own territory, and a three and out induced a punt that left the Roughriders starting at midfield. Two plays later, the Southwest offense scored again, and the rout was on. On their next possession, Creek Valley was able to gain a few yards, but set up for a punt on fourth down. The Storm tried a fake punt with sophomore Zander Polk, and Polk took the ball up the middle looking to gain 10 yards for a first down. He got close, but was tackled for a Creek Valley turnover on downs. On the next play, Southwest scored again on a long run to move the score to 30-to-0.

After one more score, the Southwest team eased up. There was no more scoring in the contest, which ended in a 30-to-0 loss for Creek Valley. Polk was banged up a bit early on, limiting his effectiveness for the Storm. Freshman Feenix Higginbotham had most of the carries for Creek Valley, rushing 21 times for 18 yards. The Creek Valley offense only managed 28 yards in the loss. The Storm travels to Big Springs Thursday night to try to get their first win of the season against the South Platte Blue Knights.