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Alex Marko’s Interception Gives Chippewa Valley 27-20 win in 2OT
Turnovers were the name of the game between Chippewa Valley and Dearborn. A total of 11 were committed between both teams on this first day of action at the Prep Kickoff Classic, including six in the first quarter.
And of course the interception that decided the game for Chippewa Valley in double overtime.
"As soon as I caught the ball, I wanted to take it to the house, but the rules said I couldn’t", Chippewa Valley senior defensive back Alex Marko Marko laughed. "The whole game they didn’t throw much, but when overtime came I knew they probably would. I stared the quarterback down the whole way, and jumped on the receiver’s break and that’s how I got the ball."
Game over. The Big Reds had managed to pull off another close one, much like last year’s contest, which Chippewa Valley won on a last second field goal in ovetime. This win came in double overtime 27-20.
And like their opener with Dearborn last year, the game was close througout. Chippewa had an opportunity to win the game in the first overtime after forcing a turnover but senior quarterback Brendan Rohlfs tossed one of his three interceptions of the game to end the potential winning scoring drive.
Rohlfs finished 11-23, for 165 yards, and a rushing touchdown. Senior tailback Doug Roberts was the star on the field for Chippewa Valley. Roberts rushed for 124 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. He put Chippewa Valley on the board with 5:33 remaining before half on a 13-yard touchdown run and also scored the go ahead touchdown in double overtime from two yards out.
Dearborn had it’s chances to take control of the game, but turnovers and a missed 50-yard field goal by stud kicker Eric Hansen late in the third sealed their fate. Quarterback Ali Naji went 9-17, for 134 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to Mohamad Makki with 8:18 remaining to tie things at 20-20.
Dearborn and Chippewa Valley have opened up the season versus one another for the past four seasons, splitting all four decisions 2-2. Chippewa Valley head coach Scott Merchant said he knew Dearborn would be a tough matchup again, but that his team was going to come in prepared.
"Besides those few scores, I think our defense played really well against their run", Merchant said. "We had way too many turnovers but we were still able to come out with the win."
