Oakwood Succumbs To Spartan Defense
Oakwood, OH — The Valley View Spartans, rebounding from last week's loss to Bellbrook, woke up in the second half to put away the Oakwood Lumberjacks, 35-13. The win sends the Spartans to the playoffs for the 10th straight year and solidified home field advantage for the opening round.
The game started out however with a question mark in the minds of the Spartan faithful. Oakwood took the opening kickoff and proceeded to march through the Spartan defense until a Lumberjack fumble on the Valley View 21 yard stopping what was a potential scoring drive.
The Spartans take over football and then fumble on the first play of the game. After going 3 and out and the Lumberjacks driving for the touchdown, Valley View found itself in the same position as a week earlier. Spartan fans were beginning to wonder.
Oakwood's ball control limited the Spartans to nine first-half plays and managed to keep Valley View at bay with a lone TD. Still with a halftime score of 7-7, Valley View's limited playing time on the offensive side of the ball was making the faithful even more restless.
While Oakwood owned the first half, the Spartans came out with the intent on repossessing. QB Drew Smith, who ended the game with 131 yards on the ground and another 147 in the air, got great second efforts from the front line, giving him ample time to throw, fake or handoff the ball. A spectacular catches by Teddy Buehner to start the second half, began to inspire the Spartans and Spartan faithful and there was no looking back.
While Oakwood owned the first half, the Spartans came out with the intent on repossessing. QB Drew Smith, who ended the game with 131 yards on the ground and another 147 in the air, got great second efforts from the front line, giving him ample time to throw, fake or handoff the ball. A spectacular reception by Teddy Buehner to start the second half scoring, inspired the Spartan defense and set the stage for what was about to unfold.
Big hits by Tommy Byrd, Lucas Shear, Josh Kozuszek, and Joe Swanson continued to force the Lumberjacks to punt the ball away the duration of the second half. It was on one such punt returns, that Michael Whaley thrilled the Spartan crowd by returning the ball to the Oakwood 6 yard line. The Spartans scored one play later giving them a 35-13 advantage and sealing the Lumberjacks fate.
Valley View will now try to prepare for the first round of playoffs at Barker Field. The Spartans' opponent is still to be determined. Losses by both Benjamin Logan and Canal Winchester probably takes them out of the picture. Oakwood's loss could potentially match them up against the Spartans again. (As a side note, it's possible that Carlisle jumps to the number 4 spot thus avoiding a first round demolishing against Coldwater and giving them their first game at home.) Badin's 38-0 win over Madeira could also propel them into the number 7 slot.
The Spartans are no strangers to the playoffs. Since their first appearance in 1992, Valley View has strung together some impressive credentials and a 23-6 record.
1992 - 2- 1 REGIONAL CHAMPS
1993 - 2 - 1 REGIONAL CHAMPS
1994 - 4 - 0 STATE CHAMPS
1995 - 1 - 1
1996 - 4 - 0 STATE CHAMPS
1997 - 4 - 0 STATE CHAMPS
1998 - 1 - 1
1999 - 2 - 1
2000 - 3 - 1 REGIONAL CHAMPS
In addition, Coach Niswonger has taken the teams to a 97-3 regular season record fo that same time period. An accomplishment that few in the state can match.
