Goal Line Defense Earns Playoff Spot
Germantown, OH (October 22, 2005) By virtue of a 28-14 win Friday evening over the visiting Eaton Eagles, the Valley View Spartans have clinched their 13th playoff spot in the the last 14 years. It wasn't without a strong defensive effort however, that the Spartans were able to contain the Eagles enough to solidify a playoff berth.
The win also creates a three-way tie in the SWBL Southwestern Division with the outcome to be decided next week when Valley View travels to Bellbrook and Eaton hosts Oakwood.
The Spartans defense must have been guided by a special angel, as the Eagles came up short on three tries inside the five yard line. Returning to the lineup for the first time since he suffered and injury in week three against Fairborn, Mitch Howard picked off Eaton QB Jeremy Fudge in the endzone, and then sprinted 102 yards for the Spartans second TD. It was the second longest in Valley View history, two-yards short of the 104-yard return set by Ted Buehner against Twin Valley North in 1973.
Valley View's defense manage to collect four turnovers off the Eagles along with intercepting three Fudge passes. Despite a dismal 69 yards in the second half, Fudge still managed 257 yards on 20 catches with two TDs.
Offensively the Spartans sputtered in the first half but then opened up the game at the start of the third quarter with a strong scoring drive. A perfectt mixture of short passes and the strength of Curtis Moore's running gave the Spartans a two TD cushion at 21-7.
Eaton returned the favor when a 12 yard loss on a quarterback sack was negated by a Spartan personal foul that moved the ball to first and goal. Eaton punched it in three plays later for their final TD of the evening.
Just as few visit Barker Field and leave victorious, the same is true for David Holmes Field in Bellbrook. The Spartans will have their hands full. The return of Mitch Howard has not only spurred the defense, but his presence on the field offensively, opens up Niswonger's passing game even more.
Yet this team seems to come alive when perceived as the underdog. Look at the first three game of season for some historical perspective.
Yes, the Spartans will have their hands full but a win on the road at Bellbrook is easily achievable if the same team that beat Roger Bacon and Eaton shows up on for the game. Then again, the Spartans have a very special guardian angel watching over them, giving them the greatest reason to come away with a "W".
| Eaton | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Valley View | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Valley View — Curtis Moore 13 run (kick blocked)
Valley View — Mitch Howard 102 interception return (Moore run)
Eaton — Brandon Robinson 2 pass from Jeremy Fudge (Matt Raby kick)
Valley View — Rex Pitsinger 5 run (Elliot Boyd kick)
Eaton — Jared Stump 9 pass from Fudge (Raby kick)
Valley View — Moore 2 run (Boyd kick)
