AIKEN --- Midland Valley's defensive line was whistled for being offsides three times during the first quarter of Friday night's Region 5-AAA showdown at South Aiken. Mustang nose guard Max Kizer wasn't proud of the penalties, but they weren't a total loss, either.
"I didn't plan it, but I hit their center hard (on one of the penalties)," Kizer said. "It's my senior year, and this is it. So I was firing off the ball as hard as I could."
The Mustangs lost 15 yards on the early penalties, but Kizer's hit might have delivered a message. South Aiken fumbled seven times on the center-quarterback exchange throughout the night with Kizer disrupting several plays in a 21-3 Midland Valley victory.
"There's no excuse for that," South Aiken coach Robert Wrightenberry said of the fumbles.
"We didn't give ourselves a chance to win the football game tonight."
The Thoroughbreds recovered most of their nine fumbles, but the offense never fully found its footing. Kizer and the rest of the Midland Valley defensive unit made sure of that.
"He had a great first half," Mustang coach Rick Knight said of the senior nose guard. "I gave him a hard time at the half. I told him their center is the only human-sized guy on the line. They were so big up front, and it was a big challenge for our kids, but they did great, at least on the surface."
The Mustangs' defense held their opponent out of the end zone for the second consecutive game, grabbed two interceptions and recovered two fumbles.
The effort helped Midland Valley take second place in Region 5-AAA.
The victory also clinched a home game for the Mustangs in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs.
Midland Valley quarterback Marquett Carr missed his second game in a row with an injured shoulder. He watched from the sideline as backups Cole Cromer and Shaquille Hightower shared the duties.
Both quarterbacks were injured late in the game. Knight said Hightower broke his thumb and Cromer might have suffered a minor concussion.
Mustang tailback Jeremy Robinson, who filled in at quarterback late in the game, rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
MIDLAND VALLEY 21, SOUTH AIKEN 3
PLAY OF THE GAME: In a scoreless tie, Midland Valley defensive back Tevin Nuckles picked off a South Aiken pass and returned it 21 yards for the first touchdown of the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mustangs nose guard Max Kizer ruled the trenches and said he finished with a career high in tackles and tackles for loss.
WHY MIDLAND VALLEY WON: The Mustangs' defense didn't allow South Aiken near the end zone.
WHY SOUTH AIKEN LOST: The Thoroughbreds fumbled nine times, most coming on the exchange from center to quarterback.
NEXT: First round of Class AAA state playoffs. Region 6-AAA No. 3 seed at Midland Valley. South Aiken at Region 6-AAA No. 2 seed.
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