The Winfield-Mt. Union football team punched English Valleys in the mouth early, but couldn’t hold on in an 8-man district game last night falling 30-20.

The Wolves made a statement early with a 25-yard pass from Daunte Oepping to Christian Gerot that reached pay dirt to open a 6-0 lead. The Bears answered right back with a touchdown, but Oepping went to the passing attack again with a 23 yard score to Juanito Piper late in the quarter. English Valleys tied it at 14-14 heading into the break and eventually took a 22-14 advantage in the third. Oepping made it a hat trick through the air when he found Jacob Ford from five yards out to get within two, but the Bears had the final blow in the fourth with a rushing touchdown to put the game on ice. Oepping finished seven of 15 passing for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Gerot had three receptions for 62 yards and Piper led the defense with 11 tackles.

The Wolves drop to 1-4 and the Bears move to 4-1. WMU gets back on the field Friday at Lone Tree.