The Rock Port Blue Jays defeated the Nodaway Valley Thunder for the Class 1 District 6 Football title Friday, November 15. Pictured above, from left to right, are: front row – Jagger Jones, Drey Parsons, Eli Meyerkorth, Kendan Melton, Corbyn Jakub, Tayden Cook, Logan Ellis, Chance Hayes, Jaxson Smith, Logan McQueen, Blaise Krogen, Assistant Coach Garrison Dodge, and Head Coach Dalton Jones; middle row – Assistant Coach Jordan Shrader, Brock Holmes, Desmond Chaney, Camden McEnaney, Ryder Herron, Case Millsap, Jadyn Geib, Westyn Amthor, Bracton Cook, and Quentin Jackson; and back row – Reid Ellis, Rylan Hunter, Logan Richards, Jack Meyerkorth, Dayton Hays, and Gabe Gebhards. The Blue Jays will advance to the Class 1 State Quarterfinal game Friday, November 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Blue Jay Stadium in Rock Port.
Tayden Cook makes a great catch in the corner of the end zone to give the Jays a 30-22 lead over Nodaway Valley.
Jadyn Geib, Brock Holmes, and Ryder Herron get the tackle for little or no gain.
Corbyn Jakub leaps to get the interception and returns it 18 yards to put Rock Port in great field position.
Gabe Gebhards puts the pressure on Nodaway Valley’s quarterback.
Ryder Herron gets into the back field and wraps up Nodaway Valley’s quarterback.
Brock Holmes gives a move to open up a seam and takes the ball to the house.
Jack Meyerkorth catches a screen pass and makes several defenders miss as he picks up 20 plus yards.
Everyone anticipated Friday night’s rematch of the Rock Port Blue Jays and the Nodaway Valley Thunder as the two met earlier in the season and battled it out. Nodaway Valley was at full strength with all of their players back and out to win a District title. The first half of this game reminded you of an 11-man game with hard nose running up the middle and nothing too flashy. A big key component to the game on Friday was Rock Port’s outstanding defense as they had two defensive stands in the first half inside the one yard line.
To start the game Rock Port won the toss and elected to defer to the second half to receive the ball. Nodaway Valley received the ball and returned it to their own 22 yard line. For the next 12 minutes both teams fought it out in the middle of the field ending the first quarter at 0’s.
On play 32 of the game Nodaway Valley started the second quarter on the Rock Port 19 yard line. Three plays later, they were on the three yard line with a first and goal. Four plays later, the Jays took over on the one yard line. Once again, the Thunder would hold the Jays to a three and out. With a punt to the 40 and a good return, Nodaway Valley would start on the Blue Jay 20 yard line. Nine plays later Brock Holmes would intercept the ball in the end zone to stop another Thunder drive. The very next play Corbyn Jakub would hit Camden McEnaney on an out route for a 65 yard touchdown that was called back for a penalty. The Jays would get moved back to the 27 yard line when quarterback Corbyn Jakub would hand off to running back Brock Holmes, who would spin out of one tackle, find the open seam, and take it 53 yards for a touchdown. With the two point conversion, Rock Port put the first points on the board 8-0. Following the kick-off, both teams would go to work forcing three and outs before Nodaway Valley would get the benefit of a penalty and start their next drive on Rock Port’s 10 yard line. Three plays later, the Thunder put six on the board, but the two point conversion was no good. With the score 8-6, this would take us to halftime.
Starting the second half, Rock Port would take possession on the 38 yard line following penalties. This would be short-lived after a bad exchange caused a Rock Port fumble with a Thunder recovery. The Jays’ defense went back to work holding Nodaway Valley to negative yards and forcing a punt. The next play, Jakub would hit receiver Jack Meyerkorth on a sideline screen who would scramble 40 yards to the 22 yard line. Three plays later, Jakub hit Tayden Cook in the end zone on a go route for a TD. Kendan Melton caught the two point conversion, giving the Jays a 16-6 lead, but Nodaway Valley wasn’t done. With 4:56 left in the third quarter, a 54 yard pass reception would add six points to the board for the Thunder. This time their two point conversion was good making the score 16-14, Rock Port. The Jays would grind out this possession moving the ball to the five yard line. With just under a minute left in the third quarter, Jakub would keep the ball and go up the middle for six.
Nodaway Valley would take possession on the 25 yard line to start the fourth quarter and march it down the field in 11 plays to put another six on the board, bringing the score to 24-22, Rock Port. The Jays would move the ball to the six yard line before turning it over on downs. Once again, the defense stepped up and on the third play Corbyn Jakub intercepted the ball giving the Blue Jays the ball on the 28 yard line. Five plays later, Jakub would find Tayden Cook in the corner of the end zone making the score 30-22. With a 1:52 left in the game, the Thunder would go 60 yards for a touchdown. With the score at 30-28, Nodaway Valley went for two but the catch was out of bounds. The Thunder was out of time-outs giving the Blue Jays the win and the District 6 title.
The Blue Jays will play the LeBlond Eagles at home on Friday, October 22, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
The Rock Port Music Boosters will be serving chili and burgers and concessions, starting at 6:15 p.m. All proceeds will be used for the purchase of new marching band uniforms.
