The state ranked Halstead Dragons came to Smoky Valley and scored early and often behind 264 yards rushing from Lakin Farmer to defeat the Vikings in their home opener 46-0.
Farmer’s first score came at the 9:23 mark of the first quarter when he broke a 54 yard run around right end to put the Dragons up 8-0 following a Cameron Kohr 2-point conversion. On the ensuing possession, Farmer struck again, on the first play of the possession with an 87 yard scamper to put the Dragons up 16-0 at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter. The Dragons, and Farmer, weren’t done yet in the quarter as he intercepted a Jake Lucas pass and ran it back 57 yards for his third score of the night. Farmer added two more scores on the night, one in the 2nd quarter on a 64 yard run to put Halstead up 32-0 at the half following the 2-point conversion by Chandler Drake.
Farmer then struck again with his final score of the night on a 31 yard run with 9:00 remaining in the third quarter to put Halstead up 38-0. Farmer added one more interception of Jake Lucas to his game totals to put together a very strong opening night performance. Halstead added another touchdown in the fourth quarter from a Kaleb Wise 37 yard run to wrap up the scoring.
Halstead rushed for 346 total yards and put up a total of 375 yards compared to 120 yards for the Smoky Valley Vikings. The Vikings got 61 yards rushing from Trystan Stambaugh on 9 carries and Haven Lysell-Stewart added 30 yards receiving to go with a team high 5.5 tackles. The Vikings will be in action again next week at home against the Haven Wildcats.