Tri-Valley started off the game on Friday, September 21st with a rather flat performance. Defensively each team was doing a pretty good job by not allowing the ball past them for more than a few yards before possession shifted. It wasn’t until about halfway through the second quarter that Tri-Valley finally lit up the scoreboard with 7:37 left to go in the quarter leaving the score at 7-0 for Tri-Valley.
Unfortunately, the lead did not last for long as Philo answered back on the very first play after the kickoff to get a touchdown of their own drawing the score to 7-7. This would also be the last score before the nearly one-hour rain delay. During the rain delay coach Fell took the time to motivate the Scotties in the locker room in hopes that the boys would come out and take back the game.
After the rain delay, it seemed as though the game would continue on as it was when Philo landed another touchdown to once again take the lead at 14-7. As crazy as it seems though a large number of Tri-Valley spectators returned after the rain delay as well, and with a renewed sense of spirit. Every play that the Scotties completed, and every penalty against the Scotties would bring the visitors stands to a roar so loud, that if you didn’t see them for yourself you would have thought there were well over 1000 people there cheering on Tri-Valley.
It turns out that the spirit of the crowd was all the Dawgs needed to rally themselves together and gain enough momentum for #24 Chase Kendrick to cross the goal line and tie the game at 14 -14 with only 2 minutes and 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter. This only made the spectators cheer that much louder.
From that point on the Scotties had a whole new energy and that was displayed by a 59 touchdown pass connection from Luke Fargus #9 to Carson Simpkins #4 to regain the lead at 21 – 14 a few minutes into the fourth quarter of the game.
“When we went in the locker room we really focused and we came out here and played tough. Everybody seemed to work together, we got a few big plays, we got the win. I think that is the best effort we have had in the second half all season! The crowd was a big factor always routing us on even with the rain.” – #4 Senior Running Back Carson Simpkins
But the most electrifying play came with only 4 minutes remaining in the game when Carson Simpkins turned a short pass from Luke Fargus into a 95-yard touchdown play that brought the entire place to their feet and changed the score to 28-14 Scotties.
“The first half we made a lot of mistakes, but after that rain delay, I think we used that to our advantage. We had a lot of time to get it together and figure out what we had to do and I think all around we just had a really good effort!” stated senior quarterback Luke Fargus.
The Dawgs were able to hold onto that lead to end the game and bring their season stats to a wonderful 5 – 0 wins. Tri-Valley takes on the New Lexington Panthers on Friday, September 28th at Jack Anderson Stadium in Dresden.
