Photo Credit: Keith Kreeger/kreegerphoto.com bvnwsports.com 
Blue Valley Northwest running back Grant Stubblefield put on a show at Bishop Miege’s Dixon Doll Stadium at Paul Martel Field on Friday.
Stubblefield, who is one of the lone starters returning from the 2021 Class 6 state championship team, finished the game with 287 yards on 37 carries and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Huskies 35-21 over the two-time Class 4 defending state champion, St. James Academy.
After forcing St. James to punt on its opening series of the game, Blue Valley Northwest picked up right where it left off last year by jumping out to an early 7-0 as Stubblefield capped a 4-play, 48-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.
“We wanted to get a good feel with how our new pieces along the offensive line would hold up,” Blue Valley Northwest coach Clint Rider said. “They did a really good job. (We wanted) to wear them out a little bit and if we could take advantage of that. I didn’t know we’d come out that strong running the ball. …
“They did a really good job with their adjustments in the second quarter and we kind of ran out of some stuff and (tried) to figure out what was working. We had to try some new things and go back to Grant (Stubblefield) and let the offensive line do their thing.”
Trailing 14-0, and looking for a spark, the Thunder got rolling on offense with Ayden Brady. Brady was able to find the end zone with a 2-yard run up the gut to trim the deficit to 14-7.
With momentum on the side of St. James, the Thunder’s defense forced their first of four straight turnovers on the night as Connor White’s pass was intercepted by Josh Boone, who returned it to the 20-yard line.
Two plays later, St. James quarterback Blake Boydston hit John Niesen on a 15-yard fade route in the back of the end zone to tie the game at 14-14, just before the end of the first half.
“Football’s a game where you’re going to face adversity no matter the situation,” Stubblefield said. “There’s going to be a situation where you get down and the other team has momentum. … you have to learn how to handle it and battle back. Because we know the momentum is going to shift our way.”
The momentum shifted Northwest’s way for good late in the third quarter.
Facing a fourth-and-1 on St. James’ 9-yard line, Rider called on Stubblefield to pick up the first down with a stretch play to the right side of the offensive line. One play later, Stubblefield scored his second touchdown of the night as he hauled in a pass in the flat for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 20-14 lead.
“Our defense was starting to get rolling (late in the third quarter),” Stubblefield said. “They were starting to shut them down. I knew if we got a score, I felt like we would pretty much be able to end the game.”
