By GEORGE KUNKE
Seth Flemetis exploded for 210 yards rushing and Willapa Valley’s defense held South Bend scoreless during a 43-0 victory at Crogstad Field in Menlo Friday night. Flemetis had a 90-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Valley QB Matt Konigsberger (102 yds rushing) scampered into the end zone on first quarter runs of 16 and 61 yards. He also threw a TD pass of 14 yards to Dylan Barrett in the first quarter. Trevor Cook gained 93 yards for the Vikings.
South Bend’s Ryan Overstake rushed for 85 yards and Dennis Johnson netted 51 yards.
“Valley was ready to play and jumped on us in the first quarter,” South Bend Hs Head Football Coach Tom Sanchez told the Herald. “We moved the ball at times on offense, but we are still struggling to finish drives, as we got inside their 10 twice in the second half but couldn't score.
Dennis Johnson and Marcus Perales had 8 total tackles apiece and Marcus Overstake took down 7 for the Indians.
“Defensively, we didn't contain the quarterback and their speed was an issue for us,” Sanchez added.
The Vikings out-gained the Indians 424 to 169. Valley had 388 yards on the ground.
“Ever try to do what you think is the right thing to do, only to have it hastily go to hell in a hand basket? Well, welcome to my world,” Willapa Valley HS Head Football Coach Greg Wonhoff told the Herald. “Entering Friday night's game we had a well thought out game plan and major objectives that we hoped to accomplish.
“First, we wanted to take command of the game right from the start,” Wonhoff said. “We wanted to score quickly and build from there. I feel that we did a very nice job in that department. I believe we had a 20-point lead in the first quarter. It was at this time that I began formulating another of our objectives. Under no circumstances did we want South Bend to go through another night like the one they just went through versus North Beach (a 70-0 loss).
“We were going to finish the first quarter with our starting four backfield players before we began our substitutions,” Wonhoff said. “I was going to have our scout team backfield take over on offense. I wanted to keep the line intact because we didn't have any other linemen on the sideline. I couldn't have subbed there even if I wanted to.
“Second, we wanted to get all of our players in the game for a substantial amount of time,” Wonhoff said. “With our numbers so low, our scout team hasn't been able to play any JV games. They work too hard each week, and we wanted them to get on the field.
“There was a little over two minutes to go in the first quarter, and we had a basic, up the middle dive called,” Wonhoff said. “Our running back went the wrong way, and Matt (Front End) Konigsberger dashed around the end for yet another score. I believe it is now 27-0 in the first quarter, and this is not what I wanted to see happen. With the Gulls soaring on the horizon, we knew that our starters needed to play, but I was not going to go there at the Indian's expense. We were subbing.
“It is here that I tip my hat to D-coordinator, Jon Pearson, for being very creative on the defensive side of the ball,” Wonhoff said.
“With only six subs to use, he began mixing and matching a plethora of players that were going in and out of the game constantly,” Wonhoff said. “Some guys were put in spots totally unfamiliar to them.
“We wanted the first offense to start the second half and hopefully control the ball for a substantial amount of time before adding any more to the score,” Wonhoff said. “We scored sooner than I would have liked, and now I think the score is 34-0.
“Neither team was able to really put anything together after that until we were down at around the 32-yard line of SB, and it was fourth down,” Wonhoff said. “Robert (Roberto) Espina went in and split the uprights with his first field goal.
“Last, we didn't want the score to get out of hand, but in the end it did,” Wonhoff said. “After the Tribe lost the ball on downs on our 3-yd. line, I put the first team offense back in to get us out of the hole before sending the scout team back in,” Wonhoff said. “Again, we ran a basic dive, which turned into another Viking score. Is that what we wanted to happen? No, but s--- happens.
“Overall, we played with a lot of enthusiasm and heart,” Wonhoff said. “We need to carry that into the havoc on Halloween, when we host the Gulls of Raymond.”
The Vikings improved to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Pacific League, while South Bend sank to 0-6 and 0-3. On Halloween night, Thursday, the Vikings host Raymond (6-1, 4-0), while the Indians entertain Naselle at Millam Field.
Pacific League
Football Standings
(As of 10-28-13) W-L All
Raymond 4-0 6-1
North Beach 3-1 6-2
Willapa Valley 3-1 4-3
Naselle 1-3 2-5
Ocosta 1-3 3-5
South Bend 0-4 0-7
Last Week’s Scores
Vikings 43 Indians 0
Morton-White Pass 55 North Beach 14
Naselle 36 Ocosta 0
Thursday’s Games
Naselle at South Bend
Raymond at Willapa Valley
North Beach at Ocosta
Central League
(As of 10-28-13) W-L All
Morton-WP 7-0 8-0
Napavine 6-1 7-1
Wahkiakum 6-2 7-2
Onalaska 4-3 5-3
Adna 4-3 5-3
Pe Ell 2-5 3-5
Toutle Lake 2-5 2-6
Mossyrock 1-6 2-6
Winlock 0-7 0-8
Editor’s Note: Standings are courtesy of WVHS Athletic Director John Peterson.