On Friday, June 21st at Paul Culver Jr. Stadium in Thornville, Ohio people gathered in droves to watch the 38th annual Muskingum Valley – Licking Valley All-Star football game. Senior standout players from all area football teams in Muskingum and Licking counties were on hand to show off their talents and to compete together with some of the best players from their rival teams for the first time in their high school careers.
In the last 6 All-Star games Muskingum Valley League has won four games and currently holds the lead overall with a 20 – 18 win record against Licking Valley League. Licking Valley definitely had a lot to prove and they came out trying to do just that taking the lead early on in the first quarter putting Licking Valley up 7 – 0 against Muskingum.
Muskingum started fighting back in the second quarter with a 54-yard run by lighting fast Joseph Clifford (John Glenn) who brought the score up to 7 for Muskingum but they were still down by 13 with 4:03 left in the first half. Licking Valley answered back with a score of their own landing the score at 27-7. With just moments left in the first half quarterback Luke Fargus (Tri-Valley) completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Rhodes (Sheridan) and tightened up the lead just before half-time to 27-14 Licking Valley.
In the third quarter Muskingum had a heart-breaking 29-yard touchdown pass called back for having an ineligible receiver down field. However, Luke Fargus (Tri-Valley) managed to land another 24-yard touchdown pass to Blayze Taylor (Tri-Valley) to bring them within 6 points of the leading Licking Valley team who was ahead 27 – 21.
The fourth quarter was a hard fought battle on both sides for the field. Licking Valley had some very close plays to the end zone but Muskingum held them off, they tried for a field goal but they were not able to make the 18 yard shot. Muskingum as well fought to make those all-important 7 points but were called back several times by they officials for various plays. All told the game ended in a gut wrenching 27 – 21 Licking Valley.
We are extremely proud of the 7 Scotties who joined the Muskingum Valley All-Star team this year, you guys did a great job! We look forward to next years matchup!