On Friday, Sept. 9, the Millard West Wildcats varsity football team took on the Burke Bulldogs. The Wildcats and Bulldogs haven’t played each other since 2019, the last time they met 3 years ago the Wildcats pulled out the win. Now in 2022, both teams came into the game 0-2 and were looking for their first win. 

The game began with a touchback from Millard West. The Bulldogs stay on the ground for the most part during this drive but were not able to get past the Wildcat’s defense. Burke had an offensive penalty that sets them back 10 yards and after an incomplete catch, they punt. The two teams go back and forth for another 7 minutes. Many small runs from both teams before senior Brody Brau recovered a fumble on the 41 yard line. On the next drive after some runs from junior quarterback Brody Peterson the Wildcats are in the red zone. Junior Bobby Joseph ran for an 11 yard touchdown to put the Wildcats up 7-0 ending the first quarter.

“We felt we should have won our game against North so we were pretty focused on not giving the Burke game away,” head coach Kirk Peterson said. “We focused on what we needed to work on Monday through Thursday so the Friday result would take care of itself. I think this group really enjoys playing the game with each other and I think people saw that against Burke.”

The second quarter begins with a 2nd and 12 for Burke. West shut them down quickly with two incomplete passes forcing them to punt. Burke got the ball back quickly as freshman quarterback Will Anderson threw an interception to the Bulldogs. West answered back with a fumble recovery from senior Creyton Schram. Peterson rushed for a 13 and 8 yard touchdown in the second quarter while senior kicker Sean Murphy put the extra points through for both to give the Cats the lead going into halftime.

“We did a very good job of running the ball and finishing our drives,” Joseph said. “We still have to improve on our execution and effort, and also minimizing penalties. We feel as if we are getting better every week and we will be ready for district play.”

The second half started with the Wildcats receiving the ball and junior Jackson Williams returning it to Wests 45. After a few short runs from Joseph and Peterson, the Wildcats are on the 12 because of unsportsmanlike conduct on Burke. Peterson ran it in for a 14 yard touchdown and his third of the game but remained on the sideline for the rest of the game with a wrist injury. On the next drive West yet again shut down Burke with senior Reid Hazen intercepting the ball. Sophomore Jake Blackman rushed three times before punching it in for a 6 yard touchdown putting the Cats up 35-0. After an interception from senior Carter Gress and more three-and-outs for Burke, the third quarter ends for the Wildcats.

The fourth and final quarter starts with Anderson throwing a 37 yard reception to Williams and Blackman running it down the field multiple times and eventually adding another 6 yard touchdown to his stats. This would be the last score of the game as both teams wouldn’t capitalize for the rest of the game. The game ultimately ended with Burke having a run for a loss.

“We ran the ball very well and the offensive line played excellent,” Peterson said. “We need to improve on getting fewer penalties but we feel pretty good going forward and should be ready for Prep on Thursday.”

This was a big win for the Wildcats as they beat the Bulldogs 42-0 and received their first win of the season putting them at 1-2 after a tough loss to Omaha North the previous week. The Wildcats are prepared and ready to take on rivals Creighton Prep on Thursday, Sept. 15.