Wilmington routs Tri-Valley 42-21 to reach 2A quarterfinals

Wilmington advanced to the Class 2A football quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year after defeating Tri-Valley 42-21 on Saturday at Downs. The Wildcats, who hold the 2A state championship, entered the game with a 10-1 record and secured their victory with a 35-0 lead at halftime.

The decisive start began just 12 seconds into the contest. Following a kickoff return to the Wilmington 49-yard line by Colin Strong, running back Hunter Kaitschuck broke through the Tri-Valley defense for a 51-yard touchdown. On the next Wilmington possession, Kaitschuck took a toss to the left and outran the Vikings' edge defenders for a second score from 60 yards out.

Wilmington extended its lead to 21-0 with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter after a fumble recovery by Colin Van Duyne placed the ball at the Tri-Valley 37-yard line. Quarterback Brysen Meents faked a handoff and threw a completion to an open Declan Moran. Shortly after, a failed Tri-Valley fake punt gave the Wildcats another short field, and Meents connected with Cooper Holman for a touchdown that made the score 28-0.

Fynn Bryant capped the first half with a 55-yard rushing touchdown with 1:44 left on the clock. The Wildcats gained 317 total yards in the first half, including 253 rushing yards on 19 attempts. Kaitschuck finished the game with a game-high 165 rushing yards on eight carries.

Tri-Valley, which dropped to 9-2, scored on its next possession of the second half. Preston Johnson took a toss to the right and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings added to their total when Kix Yaklich rushed for 16 yards and later scored from the 3-yard line, narrowing the deficit to 42-14 with 11:26 left. Parker Hawn recovered a Tri-Valley fumble near midfield with 2:29 remaining and returned it for the final score.

Wilmington coach Jeff Reents noted that the team asked its players if they could maintain the early momentum, and the group executed well against a strong opponent. Tri-Valley coach Josh Roop said the first three plays shocked his team, but he was proud of the Vikings for finishing the game.

Wilmington will host Peotone next week in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats face a Peotone team that recently defeated Eastland-Pearl City 21-16.