Photo by Sydney Looney
The night of August 24 was the day everyone in Millard was waiting for. The first game of the year, Millard West versus Millard North. Although everyone expected a close and intense game, the seventh ranked Wildcats shut out the ninth ranked Mustangs in a 35-0 rivalry game.

A big question mark in the Millard West offense was the starting quarterback spot between juniors Nathan Glantz and Tristan Gomes. Glantz was chosen to start because he was the backup quarterback during his sophomore campaign behind Giavonni Guido and proved he learned a lot from the former quarterback. Right off the start he launched a 42 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver, junior Kaedyn Odermann.

“Coming onto the field I was calm, cool, and collected because I knew I was ready to ball out,” Glantz said. “After I hit that pass to Kaedyn I felt relieved that all the hard work in the summer was starting to pay off.”

As Millard North tried responding, they just could not break through the Wildcat defense. The defense and offense complemented each other very well this game. Wildcats next possession, are driving the ball down the field and feed their fullback/running back, senior Jackson Wright for a 12 yard touchdown.

“I was hyped up, after scoring the first rushing touchdown of the season, I couldn’t wait to score again.”Wright said. “It was exciting seeing the hole open up and I saw was green in front of me.”

After a 14-0 first quarter, the Wildcats kept their stifling defense going and did not let their opponent score in the 2nd quarter. Wright did not let up on the offensive end either, scoring a 40 yard touchdown to extend the score to 21-0 into the half. Both teams knew this game was not over and whichever team kept fighting until the end would be successful.

Coming out of the half both teams knew what needed to be done. The Mustangs came out of halftime searching for a comeback, but the Wildcats thought otherwise. Wright ran a 51 yards down the field, scoring a touchdown to stretch the Millard West lead to 28-0. Finishing out the Wildcats embarrassment of the Mustangs, Tristan Gomes threw a 17 yard touchdown to tight end, senior Jacob Harmdierks, ending the game 35-0.

After the game head coach Kirk Peterson for Millard West praised the team for the win against Millard North.

“It was a great a win.”Peterson said. “But our guys must remember this is only Game 1.”

Player of the game was awarded to Wright after his spectacular 175 yards on 14 rushes and three touchdowns. Now Millard West heads on to face number one Omaha Burke Friday August 31st.