Roughriders Win Tough Battle Versus Wallace

We knew we were in for a great game on Friday night when Southwest and Wallace faced off in Bartley. The Roughriders, the #6 team in coaches polls, and Wallace, the #5 team in coaches polls, did not disappoint. Southwest was able to capture the win in a great game, 45-30.

In the first quarter, the action was physical, and both teams were playing at a high level. And that continued for the remainder of the game. Ashtin Johns got the scoring started as he punched it in from a yard out. It was 8-0 with 5:28 in the first.

Late in the first period, Houston Billeter of Southwest found Gage Hammond on a 16-yard pass, and it was 8-8 after the conversion.

In the second quarter, Colt Franklin threw a dime to Brayden Gardner from 30 yards away to make it 16-8 with 8:50 to go.

Southwestt scored with 6:39 in the second as Billieter threw a jump pass to Jacob Barber for a 24 yards away and a score. The conversion was no good, and it was 16-14 as Wallace led.

Late in the quarter, 10 seconds remaining, Wallace countered with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Franklin to Gardner again, and the conversion was good, and it was 24-14 heading to halftime.

Check Out the Highlights From the Game Brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.

In the second half, right away, Southwest forced a turnover on downs on a fake punt, giving them great field position on the Southwest 27. The Roughriders made it count as Jacob Barber had a nine-yard touchdown run. It was then 24-20 with Wallace still leading.

Billeter then had a 52-yard run later in the quarter to take the lead, 26-24.

Wallace couldn't get any points up on the next drive, then Damario Koetter ran it in from a yard away, and it was 33-24 after the conversion. That was the score heading to the final quarter.

Wallace gained some momentum back to start the fourth as Johns scored again, this time from beyond 50 yards, and the Wildcats trailed 33-30.

Southwest had a late flurry, Billeter found Barber on a 52-yard pass to go up 39-30. Wallace had a chance to fight back, then Deric Kelley had a sack on a 4th down with 2:00 to go. Southwest scored once more on an 18-yard touchdown run by Houston Billeter, and on the next interception. Gage Hammond had an interception on a tipped ball.

It was an excellent, physical, fun game between these teams.

We Caught up with Houston Billeter and Gage Hammond After the Game. Interview Brought to You by Acme Printing Company.

For Southwest, Houston Billeter was 13-21 with 228 yards and three touchdowns, and 83 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Deric Kelley had 28 yards receiving, Gage Hammond had one catch for 16 yards and a score, Braxten Hammond had 77 yards, and Jacob Barber had 107 yards and two touchdowns. Damario Koetter had a rushing touchdown, and Baber had 17 yards rushing and a score.

Gage Hammond had 19 tackles, Deric Kelley had 16 and a sack, Bo Truksa had 12, Houston Billeter added 12, and Jacob Barber had 12. Hammond had the interception as previously mentioned.

Southwest moves to 4-0 and will play Medicine Valley on the road next Friday.

For Wallace, Colt Franklin was 8-16 with 97 yards and two touchdowns thrown, and he threw an interception. Tyson Sullivan had 55 yards rushing, and Asthin Johns had 105 yards on the ground and two scores. Brayden Gardner had 75 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Ivan Aceves had nine tackles, and Gardner had seven. Micah Garrison had two sacks.

Wallace is now 3-1 and will host Paxton on Friday.