SWV shuts out Red Oak in football opener

Southwest Valley scored all of its points in a three-minute span in the third quarter and its defense dominated in a rugged, 13-0 victory over Red Oak in the season opener for both teams Friday at Russ Benda Field in Red Oak.
The Timberwolves forced three turnovers, blocked a punt and limited the Tigers to 44 yards rushing on 24 attempts in the shutout.
“Our defense really stepped-up big time,” said Southwest Valley coach Keegan Longabaugh after the game. “We went into halftime tied 0-0 and we just kept telling our guys we drove the ball all night, but we got stopped inside their 20 three times. Our defense had a heck of a scheme drawn up for these guys and the guys lived up to it.”
Both defenses dominated for much of the scoreless first half.
But in the third quarter, the Timberwolves began to stretch the Tigers’ defense wide. After forcing a Tiger punt on the opening drive of the half, Timberwolf quarterback Wyatt Mendenhall keyed a nine play, 73-yard drive capped by his touchdown pass to 3 or 9.
Leading 7-0, the Timberwolves defense forced another Tiger punt that was blocked by Hayden Buffington. They took over possession at Red Oak 31 and four plays later Mendenhall raced around the left side on a 26-yard QB keeper into the endzone. They would miss the point after but take a 13-0 lead with 4:59 to go in the third quarter.
Longabaugh said his defense struggled early to adjust to the Tigers’ front but the game plan, save for a few slight tweaks, never really changed.
“We trusted what we were going with,” Longabaugh said. “I always ask the guys what they’re seeing and what’s working, and we adjusted it a little bit; we kept everybody in the box because they wanted to send guys up the middle and that gave us some havoc. We adjusted that at halftime and got outside a little bit. We got that naked boot with Wyatt for a 40-yard touchdown with nobody close to him. That was a big adjustment for us.”
With nearly 17 minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers would have their chances, but they could never quite get clicking on offense. Twice in the fourth quarter the Timberwolves’ defense stuffed the Tigers on fourth down attempts in Southwest Valley territory.
Red Oak coach Michael Nordeen said after the game his team looked and played like it was week one.
“We have a lot of details to clean up,” Nordeen said. “Our defense played a hell of a game. Offensively we have things to shore up. They loaded the box on us, and we had trouble running the ball. We have to pick up blitzes better. It was first game stuff.”
For the game, Southwest Valley outgained Red Oak 345 to 133.
Mendenhall had a big night for the Timberwolves. He had a hand in both touchdowns and finished his night 13-for-21 passing for 154 yards while rushing for 140 yards on 23 carries.
Longabaugh said his 5-foot-10, 165-pound quarterback took a few too many hits but he’s confident the junior can take it.
“He’s a small monster is how we look at him,” Longabaugh said of his quarterback. “He’s a guy who can take a beating and he’s one of the toughest kids out there. Offensively and defensively he’s such an asset for us.”
Longabaugh said getting that first win under his team’s belt is a big first step.
“It’s huge,” he said. “We’re going to emphasize this is just the beginning. We’re going to enjoy the win tonight and tomorrow but once that South Central Calhoun film hits Hudl, we’re going to be on to week two.”
Southwest Valley heads out on the road next week to face South Central Calhoun, while Red Oak is at Clarinda. Kickoff in both games is 7 p.m.