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By Ally Ziegenfuss, Maquoketa Valley senior

GUTTENBERG – An exciting first quarter against the Clayton Ridge Eagles last Friday night led Maquoketa Valley to a 14-7 football victory.

The Wildcats host Jesup tonight in their homecoming game.

“Clayton Ridge is a very good team,” Coach Wes Wilson said. “They are a team that is getting better every week.”

A 28-yard run by quarterback Ben Dzaboff  put the Wildcats ahead, 7-0, after Carter Funke’s PAT. Clayton Ridge held the Cats after that first drive of the game but Maquoketa Valley continued to try to put the ball in the endzone.

The Eagles scored their only  touchdown in the second quarter.

After halftime, the Wildcats came back. Funke scored a touchdown and kicked another successful PAT. The defense pushed back throughout the game with players flying around the field. Jobe Ellison, Funke  and Tanner Hargrafen’s interceptions caused trouble for the Eagles’ offense.

The Wildcats made some incredible tackles, led by Ryan Parmely with 13, Carter Funke with 10 and Hargrafen with nine.

“Any win you can get on the road is big,” Wilson said. “Clayton Ridge is a tough place to play and we are fortunate to come out of there with a victory.”

The junior varsity team also won, 26-0. After a 6-0 half-time lead, the Cats turned on the offensive. Quarterback Zach Salow ran for a touchdown, completed a successful touchdown pass to Dylan Salow and running back Austin Stodgill scored two touchdowns.