Vs John Glenn (10/24)
Under the Jack Anderson Stadium lights on October 24th, the host Scotties earned yet another resounding victory, outpacing the visiting John Glenn Lil’ Muskies by a final score of 42-7, thereby clinching their fourth consecutive MVL-Big championship.
The game began with both teams struggling to assert momentum. Early punts and stalled drives punctuated the first quarter. But just as the quarter was winding down, the Scotties struck the blow that would set the tone. Junior quarterback Lucca Gargasz and senior defensive back Ryan Lamonica each played starring roles in what became a dominant showing for Tri-Valley. Lamonica intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to open the scoring. The Scotties then exploded in the second quarter when freshman running back Leevi Wade ripped off a 78-yard dash for a touchdown, Gargasz connected for a passing TD, and Lamonica came up with two pick-sixes, one of them a 97-yard sprint to send the Scotties into the half with a commanding lead.
Tri-Valley didn’t ease off after halftime. Wade punched in another short-yardage score, and though John Glenn finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, it was far too late to spark a comeback. The Scotties sealed the deal and walked away with a 42-7 victory.
With this win, Tri-Valley improves to 8-2 overall and 6-0 in league play, firmly cementing its dominance in the MVL Big School. The Scotties get a bye week heading into the postseason, but will be hitting the field on Friday, November 7th at Jack Anderson Stadium.
Vs Sheridan (10/17)
On the road Friday night in Thornville, October 17th, the Scotties pulled off a gutsy 35-29 double overtime win over their longtime rivals, the Sheridan Generals. With eyes on the league crown and every inch fought hard, Tri-Valley refused to let Sheridan’s early charge define the night. Sheridan came into the matchup riding a six-game winning streak, while Tri-Valley was riding the momentum of its own after a convincing win the previous week. From the opening whistle, Sheridan didn’t show any fear: their offense struck early, dictating tempo and forcing the road Scotties to dig in to grab a 14 – 7 lead heading into halftime.
Through the first half, the Scotties found themselves challenged on both sides of the ball. Sheridan’s physicality and confidence kept Tri-Valley from settling into its usual rhythm. But the Scotties’ locker room message at halftime must have landed hard. They returned with renewed urgency. The Dawgs started to heat up in the second half. The offense began hitting big plays, the defense tightened its screws, and the rivalry energy seemed to lift the team. By the time the regulation time ended, the scoreboard showed a tie, setting up the dramatic overtime.
In the first overtime period, Sheridan matched play for play with both teams earning a touchdown and two-point conversion to send the game into a second overtime. In the second OT, Tri-Valley seized the moment with a key run, a contested pass, and finally a touchdown that broke Sheridan’s will. The Scotties’ determination to protect their legacy in this rivalry, and to press toward the league title, shone through. The final 35-29 margin was earned.
