The Eagle Valley Rebels football team hosted the Ashby Arrows for their homecoming game Friday, Oct. 7.

The Rebels, looking to stay undefeated, overcame an early deficit to beat the Arrows 42-20.

Ashby scored on its first drive. The Rebels were able to respond with a touchdown of their own by Tyler Oftedahl from 1 yard out.

In the second quarter, a tipped pass led to an interception, which was returned for a touchdown by the Arrows.

Later in the second, Tate Benning was able to get a nice return on a punt to give the Rebels good field position at Ashby’s 41-yard line. Five plays later, Jacob Schauer scored from four yards out. Oftedahl hit Jerod Nelson for the extra point and the Rebels took a 14-12 lead going into halftime.

The Rebels took over in the second half.

A nine-play drive ended with a 1 yard run by Schauer, giving the Rebels a 20-12 lead. The defense then stopped Ashby on four plays and the offense got the ball back on Ashby’s 48-yard line.

On second down, Oftedal hit Benning for a 45-yard touchdown strike. Schauer scored the extra point.

The defense completely dominated in a deciding third quarter. Ashby ran only eight plays and had no first downs.

The fourth quarter began with a four-and-out by the Arrows. Schauer scored the last touchdown for the Rebels with a 25-yard run. Luke Mock punched in the two-point conversion.

Ashby scored a late touchdown to make the final score 42-20.

“Homecoming week can be a distraction for a football team. It showed in the first half,” head coach John Sieling said. “We came out in the second half and showed why we are still unbeaten this season. The defense and offense dominated in the second half and left no doubt on the outcome of this game.”

The offensive line did a good job moving a bigger Arrows defense off the line. Mock also did a nice job at fullback to open up holes for Schauer.

Schauer had another fantastic game. He broke his own rushing record set earlier this year by picking up 313 yards on 36 carries. That gives Schauer 1,497 yards rushing this season.

Oftedahl completed four passes for 67 yards. Benning had a 45-yard touchdown catch.

The defense dominated in the second half. Taylor Bailey had a big sack to set up a fourth down punt. Eckel also added a sack. Blake Borst led in tackles with 12, Nelson added 10, and Wood finished with eight.

This week, the Rebels will travel to Verndale to take on a 4-2 Pirates team.

“The Rebels will need to come out ready to play this week to keep their goals set earlier this season,” Sieling said.

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