The Horton Chargers opened the 2024 football season with a 38-8 win at Valley Falls for their first win over the Dragons since 2014. 

Horton (1-0, 1-0) scored the first two touchdowns of the game in the first half on a 15-yard run from Jackson Moman and then a one-yard run by Dalton Nioce. The Nioce touchdown run capped off a 95-yard drive. 

Valley Falls (0-1, 0-1), trailing 16-0 in the second quarter, got their lone touchdown right before halftime as Grant Meyer capped a 58-yard drive with a one-yard run. 

The game turned in the third quarter as the Horton defense came away with back-to-back pick six's. The first by Talon Hooper that went 50 yards and then a few plays later Trent Lockwood took one to the house from 56 yards away. 

Nioce would add one more touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 40-yard scamper. Nioce was the KNZA player of the game finishing with 22 carries for 218 yards and two touchdowns. 

Up next for both in week two, Horton travels to Jefferson County North while Valley Falls will be on the road at Oskaloosa.