Van Kempen’s historic day helps Saints spoil Lions’ stadium opener
Trevor Van Kempen is a little of everything for Mountain View’s football team — rusher, passer, tackler and more.
The senior outside linebacker has added another title — Nevada state record holder.
Van Kempen made a state-record five interceptions to lead the Saints to a 42-14 victory at Calvary Chapel on Friday.
All Van Kempen could do was shrug and smile when asked about the historic performance.
“I just seemed to be in the right place at the right time and made the plays,” he said. “We were just keeping everything (passing) in front of us and doing what we’ve been taught to do, making plays.”
Van Kempen, who left the game briefly in the first half with a stomach illness, was still at his versatile best.
The senior passed for 56 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a 1-yard TD. He hooked up with Sam Davison on a 22-yard TD pass and Matthew Larson on a 39-yard scoring strike, both in the second quarter, to help Mountain View (4-4, 3-2 2A Southern League) build a 22-8 lead.
But Calvary Chapel’s Bobby Buist returned a fumble 21 yards for a touchdown to bring the Lions within 22-14 with 4:21 left in the first half, and that remained the score until the fourth quarter.
Van Kempen’s 1-yard TD plunge and Larson’s ensuing extra point gave Mountain View a 29-14 cushion with 10:47 remaining, and the Saints were in control the rest of the way.
“He’s a young man who has stepped up and really been a gamer,” Mountain View coach Ray LeBoeuf said of Van Kempen. “He’s a fantastic inside receiver, but on this team, he’s done a whole lot of everything for us.
“His endurance was something else. He was sick in the first half, had to leave for a little bit, but that kid has a huge heart. He’s a great leader, and I’m really proud of him.”
Five players were previously tied with four interceptions in a game for the state record in the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association record book. Only two of those previous players accomplished the feat in an 11-man game.
Larson, a sophomore, rushed for 174 yards on 14 carries, including a 70-yard TD in the fourth quarter that helped Mountain View extend its lead to 36-14.
“He’s a big kid, so all I know is I wouldn’t want to tackle him,” Van Kempen said of Larson. “You can’t bring him down with arm tackles; once he gets going, he could be gone.”
Larson had four runs of 20 or more yards.
“He’s a load to bring down,” LeBoeuf said. “Like the rest of the team, Matt is coming along.”
Mountain View sophomore Jacob Duldulao rushed for 51 yards and a TD on nine carries before leaving with a sprained ankle in the second half.
Mountain View’s defense forced eight turnovers, including seven interceptions.
Junior defensive back Adonis Morris returned an interception 75 yards for a score for the Saints to cap the scoring.
Calvary Chapel freshman Riley Clark completed 14 of 44 passes for 229 yards, including a 44-yard TD to A.J. Davis in the first quarter as the Lions took a brief 8-6 lead.
Buist had four receptions for 76 yards, and Chris Basilio caught four passes for 73 yards for Calvary Chapel (2-5, 0-5).
Jessie Chatelle rushed for 42 yards on six carries for Calvary Chapel.
The Lions opened a new grass surface, which was announced last year.
The facility, named Ministry Field, replaces previous home games at neutral sites such as Faith Lutheran, The Meadows and Henderson International.
