Sports
Game of the Week Preview: MVL Title On The Line Between Tri-Valley and Maysville On Friday [with VIDEO]
< < Back to game-preview-mvl-title-line-between-tri-valley-and-maysville-friday-videoThe MVL is one of the most competitive conferences in Southeast Ohio. The action lives up to the expectations week in and week out, and this week is no different. With two undefeated teams in the Tri-Valley Scotties and the Maysville Panthers facing off in this Week 9 matchup, the winner is likely to take the MVL crown.
The front runner for the matchup is the Tri-Valley Scotties (8-0, 6-0 MVL) who have taken the MVL title for the past three years and look to take it for a fourth. The Scotties offense has been virtually unstoppable in all aspects, with running backs Logan Bash and Bubby Scott able to switch in and out to keep a fresh pair of legs behind quarterback Brock Fargus under center.
Fargus is not only an accurate passer, but is very agile and able to make plays when things seem to fall apart. When the Scotties’ offensive line completes their assignments, it is likely that Fargus will find Hunter Mohler or Dayne Prouty downfield, and with consistency.
From the defensive standpoint, Tri-Valley hasn’t given up more than a touchdown to a team all year. Most recently, the Scotties shut out another MVL powerhouse, the Sheridan Generals, in a 34-0 victory in Week 8.
The Generals have always emphasized the run game and stuck to that against the Scotties, but it did not work in their favor. Tri-Valley head coach Justin Buttermore knew Sheridan would run their running back Levi Wray all game long and was able to shut it down effectively.
This week against the Maysville Panthers (8-0, 7-0 MVL), the Scotties will face a different offensive scheme. Maysville is a quick team that also has an agile quarterback, while the rest of the offense is quite capable of establishing a strong run game. Maysville head coach Craig Clarke also likes to rotate in a few running backs to keep the backfield fresh.
The Panther secondary is also quick, so pressuring Fargus will be the key for the defense. If Maysville defensive line can force Fargus to run, he will force passes and make mistakes. Fargus started out 0-4 and threw an interception against Sheridan, but relaxed and got into a groove to lead the Scotties to the victory.
For Maysville to upset the Scotties, they will need to strike quickly and tire out Tri-Valley. Many of the stars on the Scotties play both ways, so tiring them out in the first half will allow for a steady attack in the second half.
The battle for the league title will take place at Tri-Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.
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