Malachi Daniels is relentless in Branson win over Parkview

Branson senior running back Malachi Daniels

Sometimes running backs get too much credit for big games. But when it comes to Branson High School senior Malachi Daniels, he deserves as much respect as possible.

Despite seeing three first quarter drives stall inside Parkview territory, including an interception and a missed field goal, Daniels revved the Pirate running attack, rushing for all 4 touchdowns and 282 of the team’s 364 yards  in a 28-14 victory at Parkview Friday night. Branson (5-3, 2-0 Class 5 District has now won 5 straight games.

Daniels used his array of speed, cutbacks and jukes to gouge the Vikings for 282 yards on 25 carries. But with the game tied a 7 with just second left, Daniels took what looked to be a normal handoff and weaved his way 44 yards for a touchdown. It stopped Parkview (2-6, 0-2 Class 5 District 7) in its tracks.

Parkview’s defense played very well, except for 3 long Daniels touchdown runs. The senior running back who crossed the 1,000-yard threshold for the season had five runs for 20 yards or more. Fullback Austin Burke pitched in, rushing 10 times for 77 yards.

The Vikings played without leading rusher Cole Jenkins. Senior Rudy Beltran rushed 20 times for 60 yards, but 48 of them came in the second half. Quarterback Landon Ruff threw and ran for both of the Vikings TDs.

Scoring Summary

Branson    0    14    7    7    —    28
Parkview    0    7    0    7     —    14

Second quarter
Parkview — Landon Ruff 13 pass to Jordan Whitworth (Taylor Middlebrooks kick)
Branson — Malachi Daniels 7 run (Carlos Mena kick)
Branson — Daniels 44 run (Mena kick)

Third quarter
Branson — Daniels 31 run (Mena kick)

Fourth quarter
Parkview — Ruff 53 run (Middlebrooks kick)
Branson — Daniels 39 run (Mena kick)

Stat Geekage

BRANSON

Malachi Daniels, senior RB — 25 carries, 282 yards, 4 TDs (7, 44, 31, 39)
Austin Burke, senior FB  — 10 carries, 77 yards
Chandler Hall, junior QB — 2-for-8 passing, 12 yards, INT; 7 carries, 39 yards

PARKVIEW

Landon Ruff, senior QB — 6 carries, 78 yards, TD; 6-for-11 passing, 35 yards
Rudy Beltran, senior RB — 20 carries, 60 yards
Total offense: 143 yards