The dominant week one Twin-Valley League opening match-up kicks off with a one-sided demolition derby by the Onaga Buffaloes winning 40-0 over the Doniphan West Mustangs. The Buffaloes enter as the opposing team and also come in leading an all-time series against the Mustangs 3-2, now 4-2 after the win today. The last time these two teams matched up was in 2019 when the Buffaloes had the previous victory from a triple OT win, but this game comes to them a little easier to begin in 2024.

The game started with Onaga and the herd of Buffaloes stampeding swiftly down the field scoring in the first two minutes and thirteen seconds. The 5’10’’ 180lbs Junior, Josh Daniels, scored the first touchdown from fifteen yards out of the outside rush. 

Doniphan West was three and out on their first drive, forced to punt, and Onaga went right back down the field in under seven minutes to get a touchdown from six yards out, from the mighty strong Junior fullback, Gavin Kolterman.

The first half ended 26-0, Onaga led, with two more touchdowns coming in the second quarter after the two scored in the first. Jackson Kolterman scored on back-to-back drives with his legs and also converted a two-point conversion all in the second quarter. Onaga went two of six on two-point conversions on the night. 

Doniphan West's offense struggled to get things going with only just a couple of total first downs, turning the ball over five times: Two turnovers on downs and three fumbles. Onaga found more success in the second half; specifically, two more touchdowns were added in the third quarter from Josh Daniels.

Onaga on the night scored on their first four straight drives and only turned the ball over twice. Josh Daniels won the player of the game, sponsored by the Farmers State Bank, with his three touchdowns and well over one hundred accumulated rushing yards. 

Entering the fourth quarter it was a 40-0 lead for the Buffaloes and they took out Jackson Kolterman early on and let backup quarterback Casen Huftles come in and finish the game.

Despite some spurts of momentum and big plays from Doniphan West, particularly from the lone senior duo, Cooper Eberly and Kelby Windmeyer. But by the end of the day, the Mustangs weren’t able to keep up with the Onaga Buffaloes and dropped their home opener, making the Mustangs 0-1 in both league play and overall record. Doniphan West will continue to stay close to home with a game on the Highland Community College turf against Pleasant Ridge next week, and Onaga will continue TVL play with a huge upcoming matchup against Valley Heights next Friday, as Onaga is now 1-0 in both league play and overall record.