Connor Noah’s rushing helps Kelso beat Prairie, 28-20

Connor Noah rushed for 183 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown in the first half as Kelso held off Prairie 28-20 as both teams opened 3A Greater St. Helens League play Friday in Kelso.

Zeke Smith opened the scoring with a 53-yard pass from Tucker Amrine.

After Noah’s touchdown run, Judah Calixte broke off a 54-yard touchdown run to put Kelso ahead 21-0 early in the second quarter.

Prairie responded with a 36-yard touchdown catch by Nathan Phongphouvanh. Alex Juhl’s 9-yard touchdown catch pulled Prairie within 21-14 in the third quarter.

But Amrine once again found Smith, who finished with 133 receiving yards, for a 15-yard touchdown with 4:24 left in the game to put Kelso ahead 28-14.

The Hilanders rushed for 309 yards and outgained the Falcons 436-278.

Kelso 28, Prairie 20

Prairie 0 6 8 8—20

Kelso 14 7 0 7—28

First quarter

K — Zeke Smith 53 pass from Tucker Amrine (Tate Meade kick)

K — Connor Noah 51 run (Meade kick)

Second quarter

K — Judah Calixte 54 run (Meade kick)

P — Nathan Phongphouvanh 36 pass from Isaac Watson (kick blocked)

Third quarter

P — Alex Juhl 9 pass from Braeden Slamp (Aiden Miller pass from Slamp)

Fourth quarter

K — Zeke Smith 15 pass from Amrine (Meade kick)

P — Aiden Miller 15 pass from Slamp (kick blocked)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Prairie: Colby Majewski 7-36, Braeden Slamp 4-24, Pierson Lameh 6-20, Isaac Watson 1-6, Aiden Miller 1-(minus-1). Kelso: Conner Noah 24-183, Judah Calixte 17-116, Lukas Naiser 4-21, Tucker Amrine 3-(minus-2).

PASSING — Prairie: Braeden Slamp 8-13-0-139, Isaac Watson 4-12-0-73; Kelso: Tucker Amrine 9-16-0-134.

RECEIVING — Prairie: Aiden Miller 3-72, Alex Juhl 3-39, Nathan Phongphouvanh 1-36, Even Davis 1-1. Kelso: Zeke Smith 5-133, Lukas Naiser 1-1, Brett Hoover 3-0.