MENDOTA – Playing a state-ranked opponent two weeks in a row is tough on any team, especially one desperately seeking a win. Such was the case for Mendota, when it got powerhouses Byron and Stillman Valley in back-to-back games.

Stillman Valley entered its game with the Trojans as the fifth-ranked team in Class 4A and it showed why as the Cardinals rolled up a 44-6 victory over Mendota in a Big Northern Conference contest on Oct. 11 at the MHS field.

The loss dropped the Trojans to 0-7 overall and in league play, while Stillman Valley is perfect on the year at 7-0. The Cardinals also remained tied with Genoa-Kingston atop the BNC standings.

Each of Mendota’s first six opponents have taken their opening offensive possession and marched down the field to a touchdown. Stillman Valley made it seven straight after accepting the game’s opening kickoff from the Trojans.

The Cardinals began their first drive at their own 34-yard line, and 11 plays later they were in the end zone on a 1-yard run by Logan Lagerhausen with just over three minutes gone in the first quarter. Omar Gallardo added the extra-point kick for a quick 7-0 Stillman Valley lead.

Mendota began its first possession of the game at its own 13 and went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Stillman Valley. The punt only sailed 23 yards and the Cardinals returned it to the Trojan 22. Less than a minute later, Lagerhausen plowed in for a TD from the 4-yard line, followed by a Gallardo extra-point kick.

The Trojans were pinned deep on their ensuing possession and couldn’t get out of the hole. In fact, the drive went backwards and they found themselves at their own 3-yard line facing another punting situation. Instead of punting, Mendota coach Keegan Hill elected to have quarterback Ted Landgraf run out of the end zone for a safety, which gave Stillman Valley a 16-0 lead.

Mendota kicked the ball back to the Cardinals, who took over at the Trojan 49-yard line. Eight plays later, Lagerhausen scored his third touchdown of the game on another 4-yard run at the 11:28 mark of the second period. Gallardo’s PAT kick was good.

The Trojans went nowhere on their subsequent possession and were forced into another punt. The Cardinals took over at their own 43 and needed five running plays and a 12-yard pass to cover the 57 yards, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown run by Lagerhausen with 8:44 left in the first half. Gallardo’s successful kick made it 30-0.

Mendota had two more possessions in the first half – the first ended with a punt and the second it turned the ball over on downs. After each possession, Stillman Valley was back in the end zone.

Someone besides Lagerhausen got in on the scoring parade for the Cardinals when quarterback Chad Gerig raced 30 yards to paydirt to cap off a six-play, 52-yard drive. Gallardo booted the extra-point kick.

Then after the Trojans turned the ball over on downs at their own 37-yard line, Logan Jennings sealed a five-play, 37-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 2:56 left in the half. Gallardo’s PAT kick was good and the Cardinals took a 44-0 lead to the locker room.

With the 40-point plus spread entering the second half, the running clock was deployed. Stillman Valley got to play its reserves and the Trojans were able to avoid their third straight shutout.

Mendota received the second-half kickoff and marched the ball 69 yards for a touchdown. Cody Jenner finished off the drive with a 4-yard TD run with 23 seconds left in the third quarter. Mendota’s extra-point kick was no good.

Damien Magallanes had a nice interception of a Stillman Valley pass in the fourth frame, which went scoreless by both teams.

After not being able to move the ball in the first half, the Trojans finally gained some yardage in the second half and finished with 141 yards in the game. Jenner ran 16 times for 96 yards. Stillman Valley ended with 278 yards, with 209 of those coming on the ground. Twelve Cardinal players had at least one carry in the contest.