Top 10 list of state championship plays
Last week’s list of my favorite Mill Valley Games was certainly a hit. Thanks to everyone who commented, messaged and talked to me about the list. It was fun to put together as the Jaguars prepared for the playoffs.
The reaction also got me thinking about possibly a follow up feature. I came up with an idea, so this week I give you my Top 10 List of Biggest Mill Valley plays in a state championship game. Let me say, this one a more challenging list to come up with. How to you boil down hundreds of plays into just 10? Then, how to you rank them? This list is certainly up for debate. I welcome any feed back. Tell me I’m great (preferable). Tell me I’m an idiot (less preferable). Let me know what you think. My only desire is that you’re entertained as you look back on these memories. Enjoy.
10. Seth Burnett’s forced fumble – 2015 Championship Game
The setup: Bishop Carroll, the defending Class 5A State Champions, received the opening kickoff of this championship game. The Mill Valley offense got a lot of press this season but the defense was just one of the best in the state as well. This was a complete team and the defense had first crack at the state champs.
The play: On second down, with Bishop Carroll looking to pass, linebacker Burnett dropped back into coverage. With a bobbled snap and no one to throw to, the Carroll QB took off running up the middle. Burnett broke off coverage, came charging hard and delivered a solid hit to the QB’s midsection jarring the ball loose which Mill Valley recovered at their 20 yard line.
The ramifications: Three plays later Mill Valley QB Logan Koch was in the end zone and the Jaguars never looked back, racing to a 21-0 first quarter lead. Burnett’s forced fumble was the first big play of the game and helped set the tone for the Jaguars as they captured their first state championship.
Ty Reishus hauls in a 91 yard touchdown pass to get the Jaguars offense rolling in the 2020 state championship game.
9. Cooper Marsh to Ty Reishus for a 91 yard touchdown — 2020 State Championship Game
The setup: The Mill Valley offense was off to a slow start in this championship game unable get anything going on their first two possessions. It looked to be more of the same on their third possession as penalties and a fumble had the Jaguars backed up deep in their own territory.
The play: On 3rd down and 25, Cooper dropped back and delivered a picture perfect pass to Ty in stride in the middle of the field. Ty out ran the defender for a 91-yard touchdown to put the Jaguars up 7-0.
The ramifications: After this play the Jaguars offense really found their stride. Mill Valley would put 49 points on the board that day but Marsh to Reishus jump-started the scoring.
Quinn Wittenauer snuck out of the backfield and hauled in 25 yard touchdown pass from Cooper Marsh to ice the 2020 state championship game.
8. Cooper Marsh to Quinn Wittenauer for a 25 yard touchdown — 2020 State Championship Game
The setup: Nursing a 7 point lead late in the 4th quarter Mill Valley was looking to close the book on Wichita Northwest. It was third down and nine yards to go at the Northwest 25. A score would pretty much wrap things up.
The play: Cooper executed a beautiful fake handoff to Quinn and rolled to his left while Quinn snuck out of the backfield unseen to his right. Cooper turned to his right and unleashed a perfect pass to Quinn who raced to the endzone for the touchdown.
The ramifications: Legend has it, Cooper and Quinn ran this play in the 8th grade only for Quinn to drop the ball leading to a loss for the Mill Creek Wolves. This play put Mill Valley up by 14 points late in the fourth quarter and all but assured them of their second straight state championship.
Cooper Marsh breaks a 31-31 tie withe a 28 yard TD run in the 2019 state championship game.
7. Cooper Marsh’s 28 yard touchdown dash — 2019 State Championship Game
The setup: It was the fourth quarter of the game against Wichita Northwest with the score knotted up at 31 apiece. Mill Valley was knocking on the door but had not yet sealed the deal.
The play: Cooper faked a handoff to Tyler Green and then turned upfield behind a crushing block from tackle Kyle Kelly and went untouched into the endzone for his fourth rushing touchdown of the day giving Mill Valley a 37-31 lead with a little more than 5 minutes left in the game.
The ramifications: With a six point lead and little time left in the game, Northwest needed a touchdown to win. On their next drive they would be forced to go for it on fourth down. They didn’t make it, leading to a Mill Valley field goal that ended Northwest’s championship dreams.
Right after a Wichita Northwest score tied the game up at 31 each, Tyler Green broke off a 60 yard run to put the Jaguars in scoring position.
6. Tyler Green’s 60 yard run – 2019 State Championship Game
The setup: Entering the fourth quarter of the 2019 State Championship Game against Wichita Northwest, Mill Valley had a 31-17 lead. In the span of less than 40 seconds that lead was gone and Northwest had all the momentum in a 31-31 game. Backed up inside their own 10 yard line things were looking bleak for the Jaguars.
The play: Taking the handoff from Cooper Marsh, Tyler broke the play to the outside and dashed down the sideline. He shoved one would be tackler aside and raced for 60 yards before being knocked out of bounds.
The ramifications: Tyler gave the Jaguars the jolt they needed and set Mill Valley up for the game winning score.
Trey Worcester sacks the Wichita Northwest QB on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of the 2020 state championship game.
5. Trey Worcester’s sack — 2020 State Championship Game
The setup: With Mill Valley up 42-35 in the fourth quarter of this championship clash with Wichita Northwest, the Grizzlies chose to go for it on 4th and 1 at their own 29 yard line rather than punt the ball back to Mill Valley.
The play: Defensive coordinator Drew Huggins drew up a blitz off the edge for Trey who darted into the backfield untouched and sacked elusive Northwest QB Geremiah Moore to give Mill Valley the ball back on downs.
The ramifications: The sack gave the Jaguars prime field position deep in Grizzly territory. The Jaguars would score a short time later giving them an insurmountable 14 point lead.
4. Kendall Christopher’s knockdown – 2019 State Championship Game
The setup: Wichita Northwest was down by six points and driving late in the 4th quarter. Facing a 4th down and 4 yards to go at mid-field, Northwest still had a shot and had to go for it.
The play: Northwest QB Regan Jones dropped back and looked to his left. Kendall Christopher was blocked at his left defensive end spot. As Jones looked to his left his receiver ran a quick hook route at the yard to gain line and looked to be open. Kendall used all of his 6 foot 2 inch body to jump up and knock the ball down ending the Grizzlies scoring threat.
The ramifications: The Jaguars would take the ball down the field and kick a field goal making it a two score game with 33 seconds left — not nearly enough time to mount a comeback.
3. Brody Flaming to Evan Rice for a 10 yard touchdown— 2016 State Championship Game
The setup: It was the second overtime of this classic clash with Goddard. Down by six points Mill Valley needed a touchdown to tie the game.
The play: Mill Valley wasted no time getting the score. On first down Brody Flaming dropped back and found a wide open Evan Rice in the back of the end zone to tie the game. It was the duo’s third touchdown connection of the day.
The ramifications: The score put Mill Valley on the cusp of their second straight state championship. It all rested with the extra point.
2. Jack Matchette’s extra point — 2016 State Championship Game
The setup: Brody Flamming and Evan Rice had just tied up the game with a touchdown pass. The hopes and dreams of Jaguar nation rested on the shoulders of sophomore kicker Jack Matchette. Imagine what was going Jack’s head as he lined up for the biggest extra point of his life. He had just missed a field goal in the first overtime and then watched as his counterpart for Goddard miss two straight extra points. Not exactly a banner day for kickers.
The play: The snap was good and the kick was true.
The ramifications: Jack secured his place in Mill Valley lore with the game winner lifting Mill Valley to a 35-34 victory and back to back state championships.
1. Dylan Smith’s forced fumble — 2016 State Championship Game
The setup: Overtime. One yard. That’s all that separated Goddard from winning the state championship. One yard. Goddard had one of the best backs in the state – Kody Gonzalez — in their backfield. But Mill Valley doesn’t give up and Dylan Smith wasn’t giving an inch.
The play: Third down, one yard to go and Gonzalez jumps over the top of the defense with ball in his hands stretched towards the goal line with hopes and dreams of a state championship. Dylan’s helmet met the ball right before it broke the plane of the goal line causing a fumble that Mill Valley safety Jack Eber pounced on.
The ramifications: The play forced a second overtime giving Mill Valley a second chance – one they took full advantage of to win the 2016 Class 5A state championship.
