By Gregg Meadows
All summer long, Scottie football fans tried their hand at predicting the Dawgs’ record after their grueling three-game non-conference start to the season, with Desales, Licking Heights, and Jackson to open the 2022 gridiron campaign.
Would they go 3-0, 0-3, 1-2, 2-1? No one knew – but everyone in Scottieland wondered.
Those that guessed 2-1 were spot on, as the Friday night, Sep. 2 Tri-Valley vs. Jackson contest at Jack Anderson Stadium on TVHS Athletic Hall of Fame night, proved to be the Scottie’s second straight nail-biter (a 14-13 victory) and second straight win – for a most respectable 2-1 start to the season as the MVL lid-lifter looms large this Friday at Maysville.
A large and boisterous throng at ‘The Jack’ saw pre-game ceremonies honor TVHS’s four new inductees to its Athletic Hall of Fame (Hanna Luburgh, Alyssa Miller, Carly Young, and Justin Buttermore) and HOF track and field Coach Fred Graham get the school’s new track and field facility dedicated in his name as ‘Fred Graham Track’ in his honor.
Once the pomp and circumstance came to a close, it was time for football, and the visiting Ironmen from Jackson (24-3 winners over the Scotties last season in Jackson) and host black-and-gold gave their respective fans their money’s worth, for sure – especially in the second half.
If you were a fan of high-scoring offenses and numerous end zone visits, then first half action between host Tri-Valley and visiting Jackson was not for you, as both teams headed to the halftime lockerroom with the defenses holding their heads high, as the first pair of 12-minute quarters produced no points.
But the second half was a different story.
The host Scotties finally broke the ice with a late third quarter score – an exciting 65-yard pass-catch-and-run hookup between TV sophomore QB Max Lyall and junior standout receiver Ashton Sensibaugh for six points with the seventh marker tacked on by sophomore placekicker Carter Dinan’s perfect PAT for a 7-0 home team lead.
But that didn’t last long, as a Jackson ‘pick-six’ by Ironman linebacker Eli Broermann tied the game at 7-7 in the fourth quarter.
But that score didn’t last long either, as the home team’s ensuing drive reached the Jackson 27-yard line, from whereupon Lyall lofted a perfect pass into the hands of an awaiting Hansel Holmes for a 26-yard score, followed by another Dinan made PAT and 14-7 home team lead.
But back came the Ironmen again, as visiting Jackson then drove 63 yards for what appeared to be the tying touchdown with Brayden Powell 3-yard scoring plunge. But the extra point was missed, as was the ensuing onside kick-off attempt by Jackson as well. A wild final minute of action was punctuated by an Aaron Frueh sack for the Scotties, who hung on for the 14-13 win.
Scottie stat leaders in the big win included: Max Lyall (20-31, 279 yards and two scores), Ashton Sensibaugh (four catches, 119 yards and a score), Hansel Holmes (six catches, 78 yards and a score), Jayden Walker (four catches-54 yards), and Drake Durst (16 rushes for 40 yards), with Hansel Holmes, Ethan Helms (with an interception!), Aaron Frueh, Chris Gargasz, Thomas Williams and Kam Karns anchoring the defense.
This week, Coach Cam West and his Scottie gridironers travel to Maysville to tackle the Panthers in the conference opener for the Dawgs. Last season, the Scotties defeated Maysville 35-14 in Week 4 action at Jack Anderson Stadium.
Looking back:
Back on Aug. 26, Coach Cam West and Scotties rebounded from their opening season 28-0 loss to Columbus Desales with an exciting 27-21 Week 2 win over the host Hornets, coached by former TV footballer Kele Waaland.
In that game, the visiting Scotties built a 21-0 first half lead on the strength of a pair of Max Lyall to Ashton Sensibaugh scoring hook-ups, and a ‘long-bomb’ 81-yard scoring toss to senior wide receiver Jayden Walker. But the host Hornets had plenty of ‘sting’ left, notching a last-minute first half score, and late third quarter six-pointer as well to trail just 21-14 heading into the fourth quarter. But another Lyall to Sensibaugh 20-yard end zone completion had the visitors up 27-14 with nine minutes left, and – despite another Licking Heights score – Tri-Valley – and its gutsy defense – held on for the 27-21 win.
Scottie sophomore signal-caller Max Lyall came back from the opening season loss to Desales in a big way finishing with a 15-22 for 248 yards and four scores performance, with most of the help coming from Ashton Sensibaugh (five catches for 108 yards and three scores), with plenty of help coming from as well: Jayden Walker (three catches for 105 yards and one score), Hansel Holmes (four catches), and Thomas Williams with a pair of snares as well. Kayden Wallace led Scottie rushers with 42 yards on 12 carries.