Noxon outscores Valier 32-26

Noxon's first home football game came down to the last play on Friday as they beat the Valier Panthers 32-26. With less than a minute left in the game, the Panthers were within 10 yards of the goal line, but the Noxon defense boosted their efforts and forced a turnover on downs to stop the visitors.

The Red Devils had the ball for the first drive but were unable to score early in the game. Valier returned their first possession for a touchdown and took a 6-0 lead. When Noxon got the ball a second time, junior quarterback Justice Kayser connected on a long throw to senior Ricky Williams for a touchdown and Shane Hatchel ran in for the extra point as the Devils took a 7-6 lead. Valier then attempted an onside kick that was recovered by Noxon's Payton Chambers. Kayser found Chance McDaid for another Noxon touchdown. Before the first quarter was over, Williams would recover a Valier fumble and run it back for a touchdown and the Red Devils would be up 19-6.

Valier answered with their second touchdown of the game early in the second quarter. On the Panthers' second possession of the quarter, McDaid caught an interception and Noxon took over on the 32 yard line. On the very next play, McDaid ran it all the way back for a touchdown. Valier scored another touchdown with less than two minutes left. Not losing momentum, Noxon's Williams caught a pass in the end zone just as the buzzer sounded and the Red Devils went into the locker room up 32-20.

The defense of both teams came out with renewed energy in the second half, as they blocked passes and forced turnovers. Valier would score the final touchdown of the game in the third quarter. Noxon made some key plays in the second half, with Williams recovering a Valier fumble in the third and catching an interception in the fourth to get the ball back.

Noxon is on the road this week, playing in Lincoln on Friday with kickoff set for 7 p.m.