Spartans Season Consistently Inconsistent
Middletown, OH — So far in the 2001 season the Valley View Spartans have been able to do one thing consistently. Fumble on the first play of the game, thereby lulling their opponents into a false sense of security. Well that and consistetly rack up the points.
Middletown Madison's Mohawks were the latest victim to succumb Valley View's opening play tactics, 53-13. Big plays, big runs, and smash-mouth defense take over after the opening miscue, allowing the Spartans to go 4-0 overall.
Brock Bolen took the first play on the next offensive series and raced 75 yards for his first of three touchdown's of the evening. Bolen ended the game with 140 yards on the ground and 28 yards receiving.
Tim Shope, mostly underutilized in the first three games of the season, showed his speed when QB Drew Smith tossed a pair of TD passes, one for 46 yards and the other for 45, both of which the speedy Shope was wide open. Shope's 5'8'' stature made it a little tough to see over the top of the XXXL Mohawk line.
"I couldn't really see him." said Smith. "I just knew that Timmy was going to be where I threw the ball. He always is."
Defensively Tommy Byrd, Joe Swanson, and Brandon Storer were on fire. Both Swanson and Storer returned interceptions for TDs, and Byrd's hard-hitting, ground shaking tackles helped limit the Mohawks to just 38 first half yards. Danny King, Josh Kozusek, and Clint Hanahan were also play stoppers throughout the first three quarters.
The Spartans come home this week to try and avenge their only 2000 regular season loss to the Brookville Blue Devils. Brookville's win over Milton-Union Friday night evens their record to 2-2 on the season.
The Blue Devils have played consistent this season against weaker opponents (Eaton and Milton), but have struggled both offensively and defensively against tougher opposition (Versailles and Bellbrook). The Spartans fall in the latter category.
Valley View's first four games have showed the depth with which they can play but Brookville will be the first real test for the Spartans this season. They'll need to show they can consistantly move the ball without the miscues and penalties that have plagued them in their first four outings.
The Spartan defense for 2001 hasn't missed a beat with the departure of long-time defensive coach Denny Good (we still miss you Denny!) Despite allowing 15 points against Franklin in the opener, this year's squad looks capable of maintaining the low-scoring, shutout streaks that has kept Valley View amongst the state's best for a decade. The Mohawk's 13 points came against the freshman and reserve team with less than 6:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans need to get last year's monkey off their back. This could also be the game that defines their potential against the current SWBL powerhouses (Shawnee, Bellbrook, and Oakwood).
Our crack staff of analysts don't think there's anything that really looks threating in the Blue Devil game plan. They're taking the Spartans (duh!), 36- 8.
