Max Piva grinds up Olathe Northwest (Copy)

Game Seven

Have yourself a game Max Piva.

With all-state running back Reggie Reece sidelined and quarterback Blake Jay hobbled by an ankle injury sustained early in the game, Piva put the Mill Valley offense on his back and carried the Jaguars to victory over Olathe Northwest.

When all was said and done, the final carnage for Piva looked like this: 404 yards rushing; 3 rushing TDs and one receiving TD in a 63-28 Jaguars victory. Piva’s 404 rushing yards was a school record.

Max Piva runs past the Olathe Northwest defense. Piva had an incredible night on the ground with a school record 404 yards rushing.

Senior offensive lineman Zach Darr was pleased with the offensive line’s performance that helped a rushing attack rack up more than 500 yards on the ground.

“I think the O line played with extreme effort and unmatched physicality,” he said. ”What worked well for us was running the ball — our bread and butter. Upfront we opened up the lanes for Max and Blake very well.”

Jay, despite playing in pain for most of the game, ran the offense to perfection and contributed 134 yards on the ground including a dramatic 78 yard run to the end zone to get the Jaguars on the board first.

Northwest would answer Jay’s touchdown with one of their own to time the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. 

Then Piva and Jay went to work in the second quarter. Piva scored on a 75 yard run and then set up a Jay touchdown with a 69 yard run to put the Jags up 27-7. Piva followed that with a 40 yard touchdown. Northwest would connect on a long touchdown pass with under a minute left in the second quarter to bring the halftime score to 35-14.

Senior wide receiver Bryce Shorten said that a good week of practice translated to what the fans saw on the field.

“The key for us was just getting better each day at practice after last week’s game,” he said. “It feels good to win because that’s what we work so hard for, so it’s nice for that hard work to pay off.”

Northwest got the ball to start the second half and promptly moved it downfield for a score making it a two score game at 35-21.

But Piva got back to work and scored on a 50 yard run. Northwest would answer with a score of their own before Jay connected with Piva on fourth and goal to give the Jaguars a 49-28 lead. Jay would score his third rushing touchdown of the night halfway through the fourth quarter. Holden Applebee would finish off the Jaguars scoring with a 16 yard touchdown. Final score 63-28.

Senior defensive back Jenner Scobee signals turnover. Scobee had a good night on defense coming up with a big interception in the second quarter.

Senior defensive back Jenner Scobee felt the defense played with great energy and intensity last night. He also contributed an interception in the second quarter to stop a Northwest drive.

“I credit my teammates for my interception,” he said. “The D-Line did a great job getting at the quarterback to force him into making a bad throw, and I was just in the right place at the right time.”