by Roy Taylor, Daily Herald Correspondent

In the game of football, physically punishing runners often say they get stronger as the game goes on.

In Aurora on Friday night, Waubonsie Valley senior running back Nick Britton proved that backs who rely on speed and agility can take over games, too.

Britton rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown, keying the host Warriors (3-2, 2-1) in a 41-7 Upstate Eight Conference win over visiting South Elgin (0-5, 0-3).

With the Warriors holding a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, Britton broke a 50-yard slashing run that led to Waubonsie’s third touchdown of the half.

“I just was able to see the field great on that play and my line blocked great for me all night,” Britton said.

The Warriors’ rushed for 378 yards and scored 6 rushing touchdowns.

Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy said, “It was a good win. They’re a new program and a young team, but we felt they played us real tough tonight.”

Of his former quarterback — and now explosive runner — Britton, Murphy said, “I think he thinks he’s still avoiding defensive linemen when he zigs and zags as he did on his long run.”

Waubonsie scored on its opening possession on a 5-yard touchdown run by Scott Mankivsky, then got the ball back almost immediately on an interception by defensive back Ryan DeNichols.

South Elgin then forced 2 consecutive turnovers on downs before the Warriors punched in two more touchdowns to lead 21-0.

The Storm made the game interesting on its final possession of the first half, when it drove 72 yards in 10 plays, scoring a touchdown on a 35-yard pass from quarterback Pete Scaffidi to receiver Josh Smith.

“We felt like we built some momentum on that touchdown before the half, but I think we just wore out,” said South Elgin coach Dale Schabert of his young team.

“We definitely made some improvement and played tough.”