Football team wins Homecoming game 57-7
The Jaguars defeat the Lansing Lions to become 2-4
The night of Oct. 10 marked the 15th Homecoming football game and coronation ceremony in Mill Valley history, along with the second win of the season for the football team.
With a 57-7 victory over the Lansing Lions, the Jaguars moved to 2-4. The team came out strong and senior linebacker Conner Kaifes was proud of the way the team played.
“We played great. For a homecoming game to come out like that, it was amazing,” Kaifes said.
The first touchdown for the Jaguars came in the first minutes of the game with a four-yard carry by senior running back Isaiah Young. A successful two-point conversion followed with a catch in the end zone by junior safety Spencer Clayborn. The Jaguars took a 8-0 lead with 9:54 to play in the first quarter.
The Jaguars capitalized on a turnover on downs by the Lions and took over with a first and 10 at the 40-yard line. After multiple carries by Young, a 21-yard carry by junior quarterback Logan Koch was good for a touchdown. The extra point by junior kicker Andrew Hicks was good to give the Jaguars a 15-0 lead with 4:15 to play in the first quarter.
Momentum remained on the home side in the second quarter as junior wide receiver Christian Jegen returned a punt by the Lions for a touchdown to add to the Jaguars lead. The extra point by Hicks was good extending the lead to 22-0.
Jegen executed another touchdown later in the quarter catching a pass from Koch. The extra point by Hicks was good, and with 3:13 to play in the half the Jaguars had a 29-0 lead over the Lions.
To end the first half, Young ran 25 yards for a touchdown followed by a extra point by Hicks giving the Jaguars a 36-0 lead going into halftime.
According to Kaifes, with a 36-point lead, the team had to keep its focus to maintain its lead.
“We preach … next play mentality, you always gotta keep going,” Kaifes said. “When you’re up that big it’s easy to not come out and play as hard, but since it’s Homecoming night it was easier.”
During halftime, the annual Homecoming coronation took place. The 2013 Homecoming king and queen winners Davis Cantwell and Gabby Fangman crowned this years winners seniors Clayton Kistner and Savannah Rudicel.
Other king candidates were seniors Spencer Adams, Kistner, Kurt Loevenstein, Mitch Perkins, Eli Stewart and Bailey Weeks.
Other queen candidates were seniors Allison Eigsti, Maddie Little, Lauren Mansfield, Sydney Rebeck, Macie Rouse and Rudicel.
Kistner was excited to know that his peers view him positively.
“I was just really excited, I really love this school so much and I’m so glad that I can represent Mill Valley like this,” Kistner said. “I really love the students here and I think they’re some of the best that I’ve ever seen and I’m so glad they see me in such a good light.”
Rudicel was at a loss for words when her name was announce.
“I was completely flabbergasted, I was so excited, I was so happy. I’m at a loss for words,” Rudicel said. “I think it’s a real honor to be representing one of the best student bodies in the area and I absolutely love it.”
The Homecoming game also brought back alumni, including kicker of the 2013 Jaguar football team Connor Mills.
“It’s kinda weird being back and not playing or anything and not being on the sidelines, but it’s fun being back and just seeing everyone again,” Mills said.
The third quarter brought 14 additional points for the Jaguars and a fumble recovery by junior corner back Sebastian Peterson. The touchdowns included a run by Young and a touchdown pass from junior wide receiver Lucas Krull to sophomore quarterback Payton Marlow.
The Lions scored their only points of the night in the third quarter with a touchdown and a successful extra point. At the end of the third quarter, the Jaguars had a 50-7 lead.
With a running clock in the fourth quarter, sophomore running back Tristan Milne ran for the final points of the game.
“[Head football coach Joel] Applebee, he motivates us and he keeps us in gear,” Milne said. “[We have to] keep working hard and have even better weeks than we had this week.”
The team’s will start district play at home against the St. James Thunder on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
“Last week we had a great four days of practice leading up to today,” Kafies said. “We just have to do the same thing as last time and we should beat St. James.”