The Nemaha Valley football team captured an undefeated Big 7 League season (5-0) with a 13-9 win at Sabetha on Friday night.  The Raiders (5-1) won their fifth game in a row and also topped their Nemaha County rival for the fourth straight season.  Despite 15 less total yards and only scoring on two of six red-zone opportunities, NV was plus three in the turnover battle and held on for the victory as Sabetha turned the ball over on their final two possessions.  

After a scoreless opening quarter, Sabetha scored first on a 72 yard pass from Gaven Schumann to Taylor Bauman.  It was Bauman's fifth TD reception of the year and put the home team ahead 7-0 with 7:47 left in the half.  The Raiders answered on the ensuing drive marching 80 yards and 10 plays and scored on a 4th down and 7 as Caleb Meyer found Creighton Brinker on a 17 yard pass to tie the game with 2:57 left in the second period.  Nemaha Valley took their first lead opening the third quarter thanks to a 47 yard kickoff return by Alex Rottinghaus to the Sabetha 40, then on 3rd and long, Alex Rottinghaus tossed a 13 yard reverse pass to Justice McKernan.  The PAT was blocked with 9:01 left in the third quarter.   

Sabetha, who marched 8 plays to the NV 15 yard-line on their second drive of the night, didn't run another play on the Raiders side of the field until their final two drives in the fourth quarter.  The Jays ran 16 plays including a pair of 4th down conversions but fumbled at the Raider 10, then on their final drive got across mid-field before Alex Rottinghaus made an interception for Nemaha Valley.  NV ran off the final two minutes and took an intentional safety with 1.7 seconds left but made a tackle on the following free kick to capture the 13-9 triumph.  

Nemaha Valley dominated time of possession and ran 23 more plays from scrimmage while also grabbing 17 first-downs to only 8 for the Jays.  Alex Rottinghaus earned Citizens State Bank and Trust Company "Player to Bank On" honors with his INT, plus reverse pass touchdown while adding 29 yards rushing.  Meyer led the team with 32 yards rushing and was 12-19 passing for 139 yards with five different targets.  McKernan led the way with 83 yards on 6 catches.  Nemaha Valley finshes 5-0 to win the small division Big 7 League Title and have won their last four games in exciting fourth quarters.  

Sabetha was led by McKenzie McAfee with 72 yards on 15 rushes while Gaven Schumann completed 4 of 8 passes all to Taylor Bauman for 92 yards, including the 72 yard scoring strike.  

Both team start Class 3A District play with huge home games next week.  NV (5-1) host Riley County (2-4) in Seneca, while Sabetha (2-4) takes a shot at Riverside (6-0).