Quarterback Holden Applebee stretches for the end zone for the Jaguars first score in their playoff game against Olathe South.
By Todd Habiger
Mill Valley Jaguars head coach always says he wants his team to be playing its best football in November.
It’s November.
The Jaguars were firing on all cylinders Nov. 6 as they crushed Olathe South 47-7 in the regional round of the playoffs.
“I thought we played really, really well tonight, really in all phases,” Applebee said. “We executed really well. We’ve got to continue to get better though. There's no question. That's what I told the kids, I still think we can play better than what we played.”
The Jaguars received the opening kickoff but the offense stalled quickly.
“They came out in something different than what we expected,” said Jaguars quarterback Holden Applebee. “ We knew that we were fine. We just had to adjust. We watched film on the sidelines, made adjustments and just kept attacking.”
The adjustments worked. From that point on Mill Valley kept the chains moving and never punted again until the fourth quarter when the game was long since settled.
On the Jaguars second possession they marched down the field and scored when Holden Applebee scrambled and stretched the ball over the goal line for a 7-0 lead.
After Olathe South tied the score at 7-7 that Jaguars put the ball in the hands of running back Max Piva - and as he’s done all season, he delivered.
Piva scored touchdowns four straight possessions, the last a dramatic 70 yard run that broke the school record for most touchdowns in a career with 56.
“Everything started up front with the o-line. They did a great job,” said Holden Applebee. “Max ran really hard.”
Offensive lineman Jaxon Harris feels that the offensive line is playing at a high level right now and expects that to continue as the opponents get tougher as the Jaguars advance in the playoffs.
“We have really good communication,” he said. “Looking at film on the sidelines and seeing what they are doing on different fronts really helps. But our communication is great and we have really strong chemistry.”
Piva delivered another strong performance with 211 yards on the ground. He now holds all the Jaguars rushing records including most touchdowns in a game, season and career along with most rushing yards in a game, season and career.
Junior safety Blue Zambo crashes into the backfield to stop the South runner in his tracks.
Somewhat lost among the Max Piva show is the strong play of the Mill Valley defense. The Jaguars are allowing less than two touchdowns per game and limiting big plays.
Our preparation is the top thing,” said senior defensive back Billy Gadwood. “We work so hard week in and week out, every single day, morning and night. We just work so hard and I think our preparation helps us so much.”
Senior defensive back Cayden Muroka, who contributed an interception to the defensive effort said this year’s team is close on and off the field.
Outside of football we all have a great connection,” he said. “ So when we're on the field, we just feel all connected and we can just play as a team.”
Mill Valley will host Olathe North at 7 p.m. next Friday at the Swamp in a battle of Sunflower league foes — though the two teams did not meet in the regular season.
“They’re a very good team from what I've seen,” said Joel Applebee. “They do a great job of spreading out their athletes offensively and defensively. They're physical.”
Holden Applebee is looking forward to the matchup.
“I'm really excited to play another game at home with our fans and our crowd,” he said. “And I'm excited to, hopefully, go out and get another win.”
