Zizzers Route Parkview 49-14 For 6-0 Season
The game started with a bang, as senior Dalton Lucas #14 received the kickoff on the 2 yard line and ran it 98 yards, zig-zagging his way past Vikings as his team mates setup some nice blocks. Then Coach Ary called for a 2 point conversion to Marcak #18. And just like that the Zizzers were up 8-0 with only 13 seconds of play time. Wow! What a way to start the game!
But then the Vikings did something that few teams have been able to do against the talented Zizzer defense this season: score. If you look at the season schedule you’ll see that as the season has progressed, the Zizzers have allowed more points to be scored on them. Three shutouts, but also Camdenton scored 7, Lebanon got 13 and now Parkview scored 14 points. Zizzers have allowed a total of 34 points to be scored on them this season.
Parkview had some carries and some screen plays that just kept adding a few more yards each time. And it worked for them… once.
Parkview put together a series of successful plays (centered on #25 Delacruz) to drive down the field, earn 3 first downs and score. But Garel McGinley had other plans, as he snagged an interception near the end of the drive! Except, offsetting penalties brought the play back and the Vikings capitalized on the opportunity to score. And they answered with a 2 point conversion of their own. Game tied 8-8 in the first quarter.
By this point in the game, we Zizzer fans were confused a bit. Our amazing defense looked, well… “mortal.” We had become accustomed to our opponents getting 3 downs and then punting, time and time again, as they faced the number one ranked defense in the Ozark Conference. But the Vikings found a way to drive the ball down the field – they found a weakness in our armor, so to speak. And he has a name: Blake Delacruz. He is their version of our Brayden Lidgard. And he’s good – really good. [NOTE: Delacruz rushed for 2,136 yards, 16 TDs on 299 carries last year.] But it was not to last during this game.
The Zizzer Defense took a little spanking, but they made adjustments and then they stopped Parkview’s drives. And our amazing Zizzer Defense showed us why they are the best in the Ozark Conference! Parkview would not see the end zone again until late in the 4th quarter, after Coach Ary replaced our varsity defense to give other players some varsity-level experience in preparation for next season.
After the successful Viking drive both Zizzer Offense and Defense were ready to flex their muscles and play their game. Marcak returned the kickoff to the 40, then he carried for 3. Then Lidgard for 5. Rackley to Warren pass is complete but a penalty takes it back. Rackley scrambles for 5. Lidgard busts through and takes it all the way in! Lidgard gets the 2 pt conversion. And with 3:14 in the 1st quarter, Zizzers are back on top 16-8.
Zizzer Defense got back to work causing a quick 3 and punt, but the Viking’s punt was very short, giving the Zizzers great field positioning. End of first quarter.
At the top of the 2nd quarter, Rackley kept the ball and successfully ran for the end zone but the official calls a strange penalty on Rackley for trying to run the ball in against a defender. What kind of crazy call was that? I don’t know – I didn’t see what the official saw, so I’ll stand down. The penalty takes us back several yards, then Lidgard gets stopped hard. Rackley passes next, incomplete. Looks like the Vikings are flexing their defensive muscle, but then Rackley connects with Marcak in the end zone! Another 2 point conversion – but it’s stopped. Zizzers are up 22-8 at 11:04 in the 2nd qtr.
Back on defense and Zizzers push another 3 and punt scenario. Dalton Lucas drives for 8. Lidgard gets the first down. Rackley goes long to Marcak for the TD! Rackley hands to Lidgard for the 2 point conversion and we’re up 30-8 with 7:47 in the 2nd quarter. Plenty of time for the Zizzer “D” to get the ball back to the offense.
Seley #29 and Robins #69 get some good tackles. Vikings get a first down, but Zizzer D gets them stopped and they punt. Zizzers are back on offense. Lidgard drives. Rackley to Warren, complete for the first down! Lidgard for 9. Rackley goes long to Corbin Heath #24 who is hit (pass interference is called on the Vikings) – and Corbin’s shoulder is re-injured!
This was Corbin’s first play of the season after being sidelined for his shoulder injury – and now he’s injured again! I feel so bad for this kid – he wants to play so badly and he’s got something to prove – he wants to show his speed and athleticism – and we all want to see it! I told him to drink a bunch of milk and take his calcium pills and get healthy, so we might get to see him in action at the state championships (assuming we make it that far!). I sure hope he gets his chance to shine!
After Corbin’s hit, we’re back on the 21. First down. Rackley to Lucas, but a holding penalty takes it back. Lidgard drives through the middle to the 12. Ligard gets the first down on the 10! Lidgard for the TD! The 2 point conversion is blocked. Zizzers lead 36-8 and we still have time for another drive if Zizzer D can force a quick 3 and punt.
And guess what? They do exactly that! Lair #40 and Ary #44 make the stop. Then Washington #42 hurries the QB. Seley#29 tackles and Vikings punt with 1:22 left in the first half. Can the Zizzers score again before time runs out?!
The answer is YES. Yes they can, and here’s how. Rackley to Ackerson, first down. Rackley scrambles for another first down, but holding takes it back. Rackley to Warren, who pitches to Lidgard who runs 65 yards for a touchdown! BOOM! That’s how you do it! The 2 point conversion is no good. Zizzers lead 42-8 with 41 seconds in the first half.
After the half, Mitchell #11 suffers a broken rib and punctured lung after a Viking player lands on him. The game stopped for quite a bit while the emergency medical personnel check him out. They put him on a stretcher and sent him to the emergency department, while his teammates and the Zizzers fans waited helplessly. It was a sobering moment that no parent ever wants to face. Our hearts went out to the Mitchell family as Weston was being driven to the hospital.
[ UPDATE: Weston Mitchell is still at the hospital healing up. He has a tube in his side for the punctured lung and he’s in a bit of pain. Hopefully he will be able to come home soon. Keep him in your prayers please. ]
Cressman is put back in the game to do the 3rd quarter kickoff. Zizzer Defense forces another 3 and punt scenario. Offense has the ball again. Lidgard drives, fumbles but recovers it! Whew! Lidgard drives for first down on the 22. Marcak for 2. Lidgard drives hard for the TD, going through several Vikings on the way! Cressman’s kick is good! Zizzers lead 49-8 with 6:27 in the 3rd quarter. Modified turbo clock kicks in.
Zizzer D forces another 3 and punt scenario. Zizzers back on offense. Parker #34 gets 4. Parker again, gets 5. Henry#25 carries. Parker drives but gets stopped short. Vikings take over on downs for the first time this game. 1:58 left in the 3rd quarter. Turbo clock kicks in and the Vikings are driving. Seley gets a tackle. McGinley blocks a pass! Zizzer Defense force another punt. End of 3rd quarter. 49-8, Zizzers lead.
Marcak returns the kickoff. Parker gets a first down. Lucas gets 5. Parker gets another first down. Vikings sack the QB (Hickson #15). Incomplete pass. Zizzers punt for the first time this game. Coach pulls most of our varsity defense out and the Vikings score at 2:50 in the 4th quarter. 49-14, Zizzers lead. And the turbo clock is ticking fast. Vikings kickoff to Lucas, who zig-zags to the 37. #99 carries (I don’t have his name on my roster). Time runs out and Zizzers defeat Parkview 49-14.
Next game is HOMECOMING vs Waynesville! Better arrive early! I have a feeling there’ll be a big crowd, given that its the 50th anniversary of our undefeated 1968 football team. And this year may just be the year that the Zizzers go undefeated again! Go Zizzers!
