I.V. rounds up Mustangs
Hidden Valley coach Jim Figoni summed it up after his team was rounded up and branded 44-12 in Murphy by fifth-ranked Illinois Valley on Friday night, Oct. 12 in Murphy.
Said Figoni: “You have six turnovers against a good team; you kind of seal your fate. They are a good football team.”
Right you are, coach.
The relentless Cougars (7-0, 2-0 in Skyline Conference play) would not be denied victory against the Mustangs, who hoped to become spoilers Friday.
Besides the well-executed, tough play by the Cougars, Hidden Valley contributed to its own defeat, fumbling three times and losing the ball to interceptions three times.
I.V. only threw the ball three times, taking advantage of the high speed that’s a trademark of running back Larry Ragsdale, and the muscle of fullback Jesse Swift.
Swift, who had his best night, turned in 136 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
“He went crazy tonight,” said Cougar head coach Bob Thornhill. “He had a really good game.”
Ragsdale rushed for 174 yards and three TDs on 16 carries. I.V.’s Eric McConico had one TD.
The Cougars accounted for 457 yards rushing, and 500 yards of total offense. The Mustangs had 245 yards of total offense.
The score was tied 12-12 late in the second half when HV quarterback David Wardle was intercepted by Ragsdale, who took the ball 34 yards for 6 points.
I.V. took advantage of a fumble early in the third quarter, and then again on another interception, to take a 28-12 lead. The Cougs were then on a definite roll that would not be stopped.
I.V. scored in all four quarters, recording 6, 14, 16 and 8 points, while HV’s pair of TDs came in the first and second quarters.
The Cougars will host the Henley Hornets on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
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