By RICK SOLEM
The battle of the unbeatens in the MVC take the stage at West Salem High School on tonight.
Conference newcomers, West Salem (3-0, 2-0), got an overtime win in Onalaska last week, thanks to some heroics by quarterback Tim Schauf.
The 6-foot-2 junior brought his team back from a 14-0 halftime deficit with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run, before winning it in overtime with a 3-yard QB keeper.
Holmen, on the other hand, was completely dominant last week – and the last three weeks – in remaining an unbeaten 4-0, 2-0.
While Schauf played second-half heroics for West Salem, Vikings quarterback Camryn Zimmerman did his damage in the first quarter.
The 6-foot, 172-pound senior scored had touchdowns runs of 6, 66, 3 and 7 yards in the first quarter and added a 57-yard TD pass to Kyle Koelbl for good measure.
Holmen has now outscored its last three opponents 116-0 in the first half.
CENTRAL vs. AQUINAS at UW-L
There’s just one win between the two teams, but, despite an 0-4 record and losing 20 of 22 starters, the Red Raiders’ offense has been a bit better so far … though Central hasn’t had to play unbeaten Logan and Holmen back to back, like the Blugolds have.
Aquinas has been outscored 97-7 by those two teams, though they were down just 14-0 at halftime last week against the Rangers.
The Red Raiders played tough against West Salem, but fell to Sparta last week for the first time since 2005.
TOMAH at LOGAN
The danger here for the Rangers (4-0, 2-0) is they get caught looking ahead to the rematch with Holmen, who beat the Rangers for the MVC championship, instead of focusing on Tomah (0-4, 0-2).
Aric Elmore, who had 19 touchdowns last season – and eight called back by penalty – already has eight this season – six rushing, one receiving and this 65-yard punt return last week (below):
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
| MISSISSIPPI | VALLEY | |
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| Logan | 2-0 | 4-0 |
| Holmen | 2-0 | 4-0 |
| West Salem | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| Onalaska | 1-1 | 1-3 |
| Sparta | 1-1 | 1-3 |
| Aquinas | 0-2 | 1-3 |
| Tomah | 0-2 | 1-3 |
| Central | 0-2 | 0-4 |
| COULEE | ||
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| Westby | 0-0 | 4-0 |
| Black River | 0-0 | 4-0 |
| Arcadia | 0-0 | 4-0 |
| Luther | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| G-E-T | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| Viroqua | 0-0 | 0-4 |
| DAIRYLAND | ||
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| M-M | 2-0 | 4-1 |
| Inde/Gilm. | 2-0 | 2-2 |
| E-S | 1-1 | 2-2 |
| Lincoln | 1-1 | 2-2 |
| C-FC | 1-1 | 1-3 |
| Whitehall | 1-1 | 1-3 |
| Augusta | 0-2 | 1-3 |
| B-T | 0-2 | 0-4 |
| BIG 9 | ||
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| Mankato West | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Owatonna | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Rochester Mayo | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Northfield | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Roch. Century | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Roch. JM | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Austin | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Faribault | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Red Wing | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Albert Lea | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Mankato East | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Winona | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| SOUTHERN ALLIANCE | ||
| BLUE | ||
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| Caledonia | 4-0 | 4-0 |
| Goodhue | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Chatfield | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| R-P | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| Hayfield | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Southland | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| W-K | 1-3 | 1-3 |
| Kingsland | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Fillmore Central | 0-4 | 0-4 |
| RED | ||
| P-E-M | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Roch. Lourdes | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Stewartville | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Lake City | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Byron | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Cannon Falls | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| K-M | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| La Crescent | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| WHITE | ||
| Lewiston-Altura | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Pine Island | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Triton | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Dover-Eyota | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| K-W | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Z-M | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| St. Charles | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Cotter | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| SOUTHEAST | ||
| TEAM | Conf. | Overall |
| Grand Meadow | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Randolph | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Spring Grove | 3-1 | 3-1 |
| Lanesboro | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Houston | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Mabel-Canton | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| L/P | 1-3 | 1-3 |
| L-O | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| G-E | 0-4 | 0-4 |