No. 2-ranked Star Valley played homecoming spoiler on Friday, as the Braves threw for more than 400 yards en route to a 48-14 victory over Powell.

Following an opening possession punt by Powell (3-3 overall, 1-1 3A West), Star Valley (5-1 overall, 2-0 3A West) got to work scoring on its third play from scrimmage.

A receiver on an out and up route down the sideline found his way past the Panther secondary, resulting in a 60-yard touchdown.

Another short drive gave the Braves the ball back, and a 42-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 14 gave Star Valley a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

“We knew that they could throw the ball,” coach Chase Kistler said. “We as a team could not get pressure on them early enough or often enough and in the secondary we were falling for double moves.”

A pooch kick gave Powell the ball in good field position, but its drive was stopped in Star Valley territory after a fourth down stop.

Another out and up route down the sideline for 55 yards gave Star Valley another touchdown with 1:27 left in the quarter — a missed PAT made it 20-0.

Powell got on the board in the second quarter on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jhett Schwahn to Trey Stenerson, but a bad snap on the PAT made it 20-6.

An interception by Trevon Abraham in the end zone late in the second quarter stopped a Star Valley drive, keeping the score at 20-6 going into the locker room.

A quick drive to start the second half made it 27-6, and a pooch kick fell through the Panthers’ hands to give the Braves the ball back.

Star Valley scored on a rush to extend the lead to 34-6.

Powell got its second touchdown after an interception by Steven Stambaugh set up Powell deep in the Braves’ territory.

Schwahn hit Stenerson on a 19-yard pass where Stenerson won a jump ball in the corner of the end zone.

A two-point conversion pass to Nathan Feller made it 34-14.

Another out and up allowed Star Valley to extend the lead again, and a shovel pass touchdown in the fourth quarter made the final score 48-14.

“We knew that was a good team and it was going to take everything we had to win it,” Kistler said. “Sometimes it doesn’t go your way, we did get better in the secondary. Our defense bucked up, we played four quarters, did not quit and did not roll over.”

Taft McClure finished 25-41 passing for 467 yards and six touchdown passes for the Braves.

Schwahn finished 12-22 for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

KEY MATCHUP

Powell heads back out on the road for the final time this season, making the long trip down to Evanston (1-5 overall, 0-2 3A West) on Friday to take on the Red Devils at 7 p.m.

“I am looking for four good practices,” Kistler said. “That game is decided on Monday through Thursday. I am just looking for a little more focus through the week for practice and come home with a win.”

Evanston is coming off a difficult double overtime loss to Jackson 34-33 on Friday.

The winner of the contest will gain a strong upper hand in the race for the playoffs in the 3A West with only three weeks left in the regular season.

STAR VALLEY 48, POWELL 14

Passing — Jhett Schwahn 12-22, 151 yards, two touchdowns

Rushing — Lannon Brazelton 5-17; Keona Wisniewski 3-15; Case Bradish 8-14; Trevon Abraham 2-8; Jhett Schwahn 12-3; Steven Stambaugh 3-0

Receiving — Trey Stenerson 6-101, two touchdowns; Lannon Brazelton 2-16; Evan Whitlock 1-11; Steven Stambaugh 1-10; Zane Graft 1-9; Nathan Feller 1-4

Sacks — Lannon Brazelton 1; Dusty Carter 1

Interceptions — Trevon Abraham 1; Steven Stambaugh 1