Chase County stifles Mission Valley
Bulldogs running back Brian Palermo rushes for 192 yards, TD
Scott Hayes
Saturday, September 8, 2007
COTTONWOOD FALLS — The Chase County Bulldogs relied on their defense until they could get their offense on track, beating the Mission Valley Vikings, 20-2, Friday night.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings had driven deep into Chase County territory, converting a first down on a pass-interference call on fourth-and-12 from the Bulldog 22-yard line. The Bulldog defense kept its composure, forcing Mission Valley to turn it over on downs at the Chase County 7-yard line.
Chase County (2-0) needed only three plays to make the Vikings pay, as senior Brian Palermo ran 83 yards down the right sideline for the first score of the game. After the missed extra point, the Bulldogs led 6-0 and would take that score into the locker room at halftime.
Chase County began the second half with a five-play drive, scoring on a 47-yard pass from sophomore Shawn Talkington to senior Kyle Grokett. Palermo added the two-point conversion to push the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-0.
The Bulldogs capped their scoring on their next possession, driving 77 yards on eight plays and scoring on a Talkington 4-yard run. After missing the extra point, Chase County led 20-0.
Chase County’s defense stifled the Mission Valley offense, holding the Vikings to 105 yards rushing on 37 carries and just 139 yards of total offense.
“We knew what was coming,” Talkington said. “They (Mission Valley) came out and had us a little confused the first couple drives. We knew our assignments, finally started doing them and shut them down.”
The Vikings’ only score came after Viking quarterback Ryne Cook was intercepted by Talkington at the Chase County 3-yard line. Two plays later, with less than 6 minutes remaining in the game, Talkington was tackled for a safety.
The Bulldogs finished with 344 yards of total offense, gaining 238 yards on 40 carries and adding 106 passing yards. Palermo rushed just 16 times for 192 yards and a touchdown.
“Coach always says were not starting a tradition, we’re bringing it back,” Palermo said about starting the season 2-0.
Talkington was 6-of-10 passing for 106 yards and a touchdown, adding a touchdown on the ground.
Chase County 20, Mission Valley 2
Chase County 0 6 14 0 — 20
Mission Valley 0 0 0 2 — 2
Individual Statistics
Rushing — CC: Palermo 16-192, Nathan Phipps 17-40, Talkington 6-13, Cole Starkey 1-1, Greg Davis 1-(-8). MV: Caleb Hastings 16-54, Justin Zielke 12-43, Ryne Cook 5-18, Jess Rutledge 3-(-2), Dalton Branch 1-(-8).
Passing — CC: Talkington 6-10 106. MV: Cook 4-14 34.
Receiving — CC: Grokett 1-47, Starkey 1-40, Palermo 3-8. MV: Ben Konda 3-32, Rutledge 1-2.