They Always Want You When You're On The Top
Germantown, OH (October 17, 2003) It's been 14 seasons since the Valley View Spartans were pinned with a goose egg in the regular season, a 20-0 loss to Middletown Madison in 1990. The Spartans went 5-5 that year.
Last night the Bellbrook Eagles, in a game that was closer than the score indicates, layed what most teams consider the golden egg, pinning the Spartans with a rare shutout, and propelling Bellbrook to number 1 in the Divsion III rankings. The 21-0 win ensures Bellbrook of a playoff spot and a potential rematch with the Spartans.
The Spartans only two real opportunities for scores were negated when a holding call brought back a Brock Bolen to Ryan Clark 57-yard TD pass. Then after Bellbrook broke the scoreless game open three minutes into the fourth quarter, Buehner took the ensuing kickoff to the 9 yard line, where Valley View was unable to capitalize, ultimately missing a 21-yard field goal.
It was a game of penalties for both teams who combined for 16 alone in the first half. The Spartans amassed 139 yards from the yellow flags, outpacing their total offensive output by 47.
It was the clock that was the Spartans worst enemy. Valley View was never on the field long enough to produce any real significant drives. Offensively the Spartans had 8 first downs and 23 rushes for 80 yards. Buehener went 2-13 passing for only 12 yards. Not your typical Spartan game plan for any season.
With Bellbrook now ranked number 1 and Valley View dropping to number 8, the Spartans could find themselves back in Greene County for round one of the playoffs. First they must look towards the Oakwood Lumberjacks, 41-27 winners over the Eaton Eagles in Week 9.
The Lumberjacks didn't fare very well in their showdown with Bellbrook (34-12 loss) either. But they have a potent ground game with Nick Lewis, Gabe Schoenlein and Nick Schubert. Oakwood's defense has been up and down as well, giving up 42 to Versailles, 35 to Middletown Madison and 34 to Bellbrook. The Spartans will have to regain their magic on the road at Harmon Field.
Keeping the offense on the field will be key to Valley View's success against the Lumberjacks. The Spartan defense anticipates the return of LB Josh Deeters for this critical matchup. Deeters was injured in the game against Eaton and missed the game against Bellbrook.
Playing Oakwood at home is the same as playing Bellbrook, the Spartans will need to control the football. Back-to-back losses for the Spartans are as much an anomoly as shutouts, so the odds are in Valley View's favor. But it's not odds they need to beat. It's the 6-2 Lumberjacks.
We like the revenge factor. If the Spartans aren't mad about this week's loss they should be, and we think they're hopping mad. If the hopping mad Spartan show up to play, fans can expect a good old fashion butt-whipping. If not, a second loss in a row could cause shift in the time continuum.
We think the really mad Spartan team will show up Friday. Spartans 42, Oakwood 14.
