North Fayette Valley rallies past New Hampton

WEST UNION - After getting thoroughly out-executed in the first half, fourth-ranked North Fayette Valley scored 19 unanswered second half points to defeat New Hampton 26 to 24 and advance to a Class 2A semifinal next week at the UNI-Dome.

'We didn't make plays in the first half, and we did in the second half. That was the story of the game,” said West Union Valley Head Coach Bob Lape.

After trailing 24 to 7 at half time, North Fayette shut out the Chickasaws in the second half while scoring three touchdowns.

The momentum changed immediately when New Hampton running backConnor Frerichs fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. North Fayette Valley recovered the fumble, and fullback Josh Mackey scored from the one-yard line five plays later.

The teams traded futile possession until the fourth quarter when Mackey scored again from the 5-yard line with 9:32 to play, making the score 24 to 20.

The teams again traded punts before New Hampton quarterback Alex Troyna fumbled the ball and NFV recovered it with 6:22 on the clock.

The TigerHawks began a 65-yard drive that ended with another Mackey touchdown that put NFV ahead 26-24 with 1:11 left.

The Chickasaws started at their own 40 after the kickoff but could not move the football. After three incomplete passes and a five-yard run, NFV took possession and ran out the clock.

Mackey finished the game with 79 hard-earned yards on 21 carries. Tailback Derrick Kuehner gained 44 yards on nine carries, and quarterback Trevor Hurd gained 15 yards on three carries.

Hurd also completed three crucial passes that kept alive the fourth quarter drive that brought the TigerHawks within striking distance for their final drive.

The game looked like it would be a Chickasaw runaway in the first half as running backConnor Frerichs gained 104 yards on 13 carries to lead the attack.

Lape praised his players for sticking with the game plan when faced with adversity in the first half.

'We did not execute well in the first half. We dropped passes and gave them early momentum with a fumble the first time we had the ball. But we did not panic. We stayed the course,” he said.

Lape said the game was reminiscent of the teams' first meeting on Oct. 24, when NFV won 15-13 in overtime.

'We knew they are a tough team, but we knew we could beat them,” he said.

NFV, 11-1, lost its only game early in the season to Center Point Urbana. New Hampton finishes with an 8-4 mark.

The TigerHawks will play Nov. 15 in a semifinal game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

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