No. 1 Valley topples Iowa City West

IOWA CITY - This is what a top-ranked team looks like. It runs left and right and opens holes at will. It passes to any number of receivers in any number of locations. It chases your quarterback all over the field, making it difficult to get into any offensive rhythm.

It wins the battle of field position and wins the line of scrimmage. And when it's threatened, it snatches the ball away.

No. 1-ranked West Des Moines Valley rolled over Iowa City West, 33-0, Friday night at Trojan Field. The loss for West was the second to a top-10 team in the opening two weeks.

The Tigers' offensive line led the way for running backs Jevon Mason and Austin Koch. The few times West got penetration, Mason was able to use his speed to elude several would-be tacklers.

Mason gained 178 yards on 14 carries and played little in the final quarter. Counterpart Austin Koch piled up 88 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi, who has two known Division I offers, showed off a strong and accurate arm, and has a platoon of sure-handed receivers. He completed 9-of-16 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Valley piled up 21 first downs, rushed for 310 yards and threw for 150.

The Trojans were unable to run consistently for the second week in a row, gaining 69 yards on 25 carries. And although quarterback Alex Henderson threw for 250 yards, he was running for his life most of the time.

The game got away from West late in the first half with Valley nursing a 6-0 lead. The Tigers drove 71 yards for the game's first touchdown with 3:28 left in the half. The defense forced a West punt and a 24-yard punt return gave the Tigers possession at their 49 with 1:42 left. A 45-yard pass to Austin Hinkle set up a 7-yard Koch TD run just before the half ended and Valley led 20-0.

West's best chance to score came on a third-quarter drive, but John Mahoney intercepted a pass in the end zone to squelch the drive.