Valley Heights is on a three-game streak of home wins, while Smith Center is on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Valley Heights Mustangs will take on the Smith Center Redmen at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Valley Heights had a rough season last year, but they looks ready to turn that poor record around this year. They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Wabaunsee 64-26 on the road. With Valley Heights ahead 40-14 at the half, the match was all but over already.
Valley Heights' success was spearheaded by the efforts of Jayden DeWalt, who rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 11.7 yards per carry, and Carson Spoonts, who rushed for 181 yards and five touchdowns while picking up 10.6 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, Smith Center got themselves on the board against Sacred Heart on Friday, but Sacred Heart never followed suit. They blew past the Knights 48-0 at home. The score at the end of the third wound up being the final score as Smith Center just coasted through the last quarter.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Smith Center to victory, but perhaps none more so than Luke Franklin, who rushed for 112 yards and four touchdowns on only 15 carries. Franklin is on a roll when it comes to rushing yards, as he's now rushed for 100 or more in the last four games he's played. Parker Hutchinson was another key contributor, rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown on only ten carries.
Their wins lifted both teams to an identical 6-1.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground as these two are both standouts in the run game. Valley Heights has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 293 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Smith Center struggles in that department as they've been averaging 272.7 per game. It's looking like Friday's matchup might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Valley Heights was taken down by Smith Center 56-12 in their previous meeting back in October of 2022. Will Valley Heights have more luck at home instead of on the road?
