Kolby Franks leads Erie-Prophetstown past Bureau Valley

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MANLIUS – The Bureau Valley football team did everything it could Friday to slow down a potent Erie-Prophetstown offense, but the Panthers had more than enough firepower to quiet the Storm, 35-12.

Bureau Valley (2-5) was able to limit the Panthers to 32 total offensive plays, but Erie-Prophetstown still was able to accumulate 422 yards and lead comfortably throughout the contest.

The Panthers drove 78 yards to the end zone on the game’s first possession, scoring on running back Connor Sibley’s 3-yard touchdown run.

Bureau Valley drove to the Panthers’ 18-yard line in an attempt to level the score, but a failed fourth-down conversion handed the ball back to the visitors. Two plays later, E-P was in the end zone again as Sibley broke free for a 43-yard scamper before quarterback Kolby Franks darted up the middle for a 39-yard touchdown run.

“The past couple of weeks, we’ve struggled in those fourth-and-short situations,” said Bureau Valley coach Mat Pistole. “They tried to mix things up defensively, and it confused our kids a bit at times and we just didn’t execute well enough.”

The Storm got on the board early in the second period as wingback Jaden Michlig used a strong second effort to run for 6 yards on fourth down-and-5 to give the hosts a first down at the E-P 1-yard line. Two plays later, fullback Levi Hardy plunged across the goal line for the score, leaving the count at 14-6 with 7:51 to play in the first half.

Once again, the Panthers (5-2) responded quickly as Franks broke free for an 18-yard run before lofting a pass over the Bureau Valley defense to Mason Misfeldt for a 32-yard scoring pass and a 21-6 advantage. The visitors took one final shot to the end zone through the air to end the half, but Storm cornerback Brock Foster intercepted the pass.

“We all felt like we were in it [at halftime],” Pistole said. “I think they were pretty upset with the way they played in the first half. We played a lot better defensively in the second half and rose to the occasion.”

Hardy forced a fumble on the Panthers’ first drive of the second half, which was recovered by Elija Kruse at the Bureau Valley 44. Unable to move the ball, the hosts punted, and Franks found Trevor Cobo downfield for a 55-yard completion before running in for another score, this time from 20 yards out.

Storm quarterback Adam Johnson found Isaac Attig for a 3-yard touchdown with 7:50 left in the contest. An unsuccessful onside kick gave E-P possession near midfield, and the Panthers collected the game’s final touchdown on a 6-yard run by Jase Grunder with 4:06 to play.

“Adam’s a tremendous kid who’s a competitor,” Pistole said. “I’m very confident when the ball’s in his hands. We probably don’t put it in his hands enough.”

Franks finished with a game-high 136 rushing yards on just nine carries while completing 4 of 5 passes for 126 yards. Sibley gained 117 yards on 12 rushing attempts, and Misfeldt was the Panthers’ top tackler with 10 total stops.

Michlig ran for 83 yards on 19 carries and Johnson gained 44 yards on 12 rushes while also completing 5-of-8 passes for 56 yards and recording five tackles on defense. Attig caught three passes for 38 yards.

Bureau Valley travels to face Class 3A No. 8 Princeton (6-1) on Friday.