Spartans Slow Start Ends Predictably

Germantown, OH — The Valley View Spartans rallied for four touchdowns in the second quarter to overcome a 7-0 first quarter deficit and defeat the Milton-Union Bulldogs 48-7.

The Bulldogs scored first at 10:09 in the first quarter on a 39-yard pass from Justin Huff to David Delk. The score came on the heels of an interception by Bulldog DB Travis Meeks to set up the TD. Back-to-back sacks by jr. LB Brandon Ritze helped contain the Milton Union offense during their next possession and only subsequent scoring threat the remainder of the game.

It was big plays by Brock Bolen, Nick Alldred, and Brad Abner that finally got the Spartan offense rolling in the second quarter. A one-yard pass to Alldred in with 10:19 remaining in the second quarter tied the game at 7-7.

The Spartans next score came at the 8:11 mark when Bolen marched in from the 9-yard line. The TD was set up by a Buehner to Abner pass that saw the 5-11 RB leap to new heights to ensure the completion.

Valley View's offense and defense were now both on track. Faced with a third and 19 from the Milton-Union 42-yard line, Buehner throws a short pass over the middle to Bolen who runs the 58 yards necessary for the third Spartan score at the 5:00 minute mark.

On the Bulldogs next possession Chase Holcomb blew threw the line to tackle Huff for a loss and then Clint Hanahan intercepts his first pass of the year to set up the next Spartan TD. Buehner throws another short pass to Bolen who scampers 28-yards for the TD at the 2:59 mark.

In seven minutes and 20 seconds Valley View had rallied from 7-0 deficit to score four times and lead 28-0 at the half. The Spartans would score three more times in the fourth quarter to provide the final outcome and dropping the Bulldogs to 4-2, their only other loss against Tipp City. The Spartans remain undefeated.

Notables

On To Preble County

The Spartans play back-to-back away games in Preble County the next two weeks. The Shawnee Arrows are up first followed by the Eaton Eagles.

After beginning the 2001 season with a 5-0 record, the Arrows are having a tough time of it in 2002. Since a season opening win against National Trail, they've suffered losses to Carlisle, Dixie, Madison, and Eaton. Their only other win came against Waynesville to help them to a 2-4 record.

Harvey Campbell, the team's defensive coordinator in 2001, replaces Scott Cottingim as head coach for the 2002 season. Campbell likes to show a run-oriented offense, but isn't afraid to throw. Senior Tyler Gray moves from DB to QB and benefits from an experienced backfield. The linebacking corps highlights a defense that returns seven starters.

Key returners Spartan fans will need to keep an eye on are sr. RB James Kirk, sr. OT Tyler Simpson, sr. OLB Barney Rumpke, and sr. OLB Ryan Geise.

The Spartans shut-out the Arrows in 2001, 42-0, and this season may not be much different. Valley View's defensive unit has consistantly held opponents to their side of the field. The starting defense is averaging a stingy 2.3 points per game. Most of the Spartans opponents scoring has come late in the game against the junior varsity squad.

The ten-day forecast is again calling for showers for this Friday's contest making for continued muddy field conditions. This hasn't deterred the Spartans in their last two outings.

Once again based on our highly sophisticated algorithmetic equation that almost accurately predicts the score of upcoming games, Valley View Online will take the Spartans, 54-7. There is a high probablity of a shut-out but we had to give Shawnee a touchdown based on home field adantage.