Photo Courtesy of Darci Walters
Week 6 Debrief | Vikings Rewrite History
By Baylen Hite | 107.3 WRSW
In a season of many first for Death Valley Football the Vikings can add another to the list. After beating Jimtown 35-14 on Friday night it was the first time in program history they have beaten the Jimmies.
While it wasn’t a pretty game for either team. Valley jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead that helped them maintain control for the whole game. Lets breakdown what stood out from the win at Smith-Bibler Memorial Field on Friday.
Level Headed Approach
There were plenty of times during the game that things could have gotten out of hand for the Vikings. They faced adversity in many forms. First an injury to sophomore Grady Moriarty who was having a great game. (Best wishes to Grady and I hope he is back soon in the Kelly Green and Gold). Then there were a few backbreaking penalties throughout the game.
On a night where Valley had 9 penalties for 72 yards the Vikings maintained composure and weathered the storm. They stuck with what was working and wore down the Jimmies throughout the 2nd half to ensure victory.
It feels like every season there are one or two of these types of game a year. It is very easy to let the uncontrollable things affect your play. The Vikings made sure that didn’t become a story on Friday night.
Secondary Step-up
For the 2nd straight week because of the game situation Valley was challenged through the air. We saw the Vikings respond well against Culver Academy and get better throughout the game. Death Valley did it again on Friday night.
Cody Black set the tone early with a great read that turned into his first interception of the season. Black would even haul in another that would be turned back because of a penalty.
Time and time again though as Valley was challenged through the air players like Wade Jones, Nate Parker, Wes Parker were all up to the task in defense. Valley hasn’t been challenged a ton through the air and these past two weeks were great practice for West Lafayette who runs a spread offense. The Red Devils average nearly 250 yards through the air per game. The most challenging offensive unit for Valley through the air this season.
Balanced Effort
Friday night was another depth filled performance for Valley. 9 different players touched the ball on offense, and on defense 20 different players recorded a tackle.
I have said it all year long but that type of production is nearly unprecedented in 3A and is an example to what the coaches have been able to do all season long.
The Vikings will need to use this depth in the coming weeks against top talents like West Lafayette, John Glenn, and Bremen. Two of which will be future conference foes.
ICYMI: Area Scores and Notes
Indiana Northern State Conference Scores
John Glenn 45 Bremen 0
Knox 21 Laville 13
Northern Lakes Conference Scores
Mishawaka 34 Warsaw 11
Concord 42 Goshen 0
Northwood 42 Plymouth 7
Northridge 14 Wawasee 7
Three Rivers Conference Scores
Cass 52 Whitko 6
Peru 34 Rochester 23
Southwood 8 Manchester 7
Northfield 27 Wabash 12
Maconaquah 41 North Miami 0
3A AP Poll
1. Bishop Chatard (18)
2. West Lafayette
3. Hanover Central
4. Hamilton Heights
5. Guerin Catholic
6. Gibson Southern
7. Tippecanoe Valley
8. Heritage Hills
9. Tri-West
10. Peru
Others receiving votes: Vincennes, Knox, Lawrenceburg, Batesville, West Noble, Delta.
3A Coaches Poll
- Chatard (10)
- Guerin Catholic
- West Lafayette
- Hanover Central
- Gibson Southern
- Tri-West
- Heritage Hills
- Lawrenceburg
- Hamilton Heights
- Vincennes Lincoln
Others receiving votes: Batesville, Tippecanoe Valley, Western Boone, Delta, Knox.