Slow Start Doesn't Deter Spartans
Waynesville, OH — Despite punting on their first possession and fumbling on their second possession, the Valley View Spartans went on to a 56-0 victory over host Waynesville in SWBL intra-league play. The hometown Spartans have outscored Waynesville 117-0 over the past two years.
Valley View's first possession saw them go 4 and out with a pass to Zach Cline for two yards, an incomplete pass to Trevin Morneault, and a 6-yard pass to Nick Alldred. On fourth and one from their own 40-yard line they elected to punt.
The Spartan defense forced Waynesville to punt on fourth and thirteen, setting the Spartans up for their second possession at midfield. Brock Bolen took the first snap 25 yards before fumbling the ball back to Waynesville.
Waynesville then manages a first down before the defense stops them cold with an interception by Branden Wilson at the Valley View 10-yard line.
Valley View then went 90 yards in ten plays to score their first TD of the game with 1:17 left in the first quarter. QB Teddy Buehner helped keep the scoring drive alive with an elusive run on third and 16 during a broken play to get a Spartan first down. The next play Brock Bolen, Waynesville tacklers bouncing off both sides, scampered 50-yards to the Waynesville ten yard line. Two plays later Buehner scored his fourth touchdown of the year from 9 yards out.
The Spartan scoring machine was now primed. Their next score was set up by a Joe Swanson's interception.. Bolen then carried the ball four times to get his 11th touchdown of the season. All SWBL Swanson would then recover a fumble on the first play of Waynesville's next possession and three plays later Zach Cline ran it in to give Valley View a 21 - 0 lead in just over five minutes.
Valley View's next score came on a Matt Guterrez fumble recovery. Brandon Ritze's QB sack forced the Waynesville miscue giving Guterrez his first career touchdown. Sr. LB Clint Hanahan would later exclaim on the sidelines "That was the greatest thing I've ever seen". The Spartans took a 28 - 0 lead into the locker room at the half.
The second half never saw Waynesville cross mid-field (The closest they came was the 42-yard line). Strong defensive play setup the three offensive scoring drives along with a Ryan Clark punt return for another touchdown. Swanson logged more time in the backfield than the Waynesville QB, who he should now know fairly intimately.
Despite scoring 28 points in last week's loss to Clinton-Massie, Waynesville couldn't keep up with the Spartan defense. Missing in action were first downs, big plays to sustain any type of drive, and complete passes in critical third down situations. Waynesville falls to 0 - 3 and take on SWBL Southwestern Division co-leader Oakwood next week.
Spartans Return Home For Madison Matchup
The Mohawks coming off a 61-27 loss to Oakwood visit Barker Field Friday, Sept. 13 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Spartans own a 16-2 lifetime record over the Mohawks since 1984.
Valley View is still looking for its first major test of the season and unfortunately Madison will not be up for the challenge. Fourth-year coach Jason Heflin was 3-0 at this point last year before the Spartans started their spiral downwards with 53-13 thrashingin their own backyard. Madison finished the season 3-2 in the league and 5-5 overall. The Mohawks return fifteen starters from last year's squad.
Key returners and ones that the Spartans should pay close attention are Sr. DE Jeremy Million, jr. LB Jake Booth, jr. RB-DB Dennis Trousdale, sr. OT Jason Ward, sr. DT Jim Bolen, and sr. DB Joe Myers.
Valley View needs to maintain the defensive intensity that it has shown in each of the last three games. Joe Swanson continues to get stronger each game and his leadership is having an effect on the rest of the squad. The starting defense still continues to hold opponents scoreless.
Offensively this game should allow the Spartans to continue experimenting to find their rhythm. Having outscored the opposition 164 -13 may give the appearance of a tightly oiled machine, we're not so sure Coach Niswonger is still trying to get the right mix going. This game will still give them the chance to stir it around a little longer.
The Spartans are at home and the 10-day forecast has the weather a beautiful 70 degree game time temperature. The Mohawks will need all the lucky charms they can bring with them if they intend on making this a game. Our prognosticators have only one choice this week. Bolen has another three TD game and the Spartans take it all 45 - 0.
