Paint Valley sends Huntington home scoreless in overpowering victory
By: Charlie Lusk
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BAINBRDIGE, Ohio (WOUB) — On Friday, the Paint Valley Bearcats hosted the Huntington Huntsmen in an Scioto Valley Conference rivalry matchup. As Conference play was coming to a close, both teams had lofty goals they were looking to achieve.
The Huntsmen, coming off a big win against Southeastern, were looking to salvage their season and make a run to the postseason. The Bearcats, who were undefeated in SVC play, were playing their season to win the conference outright. While both teams had something to play for, the Bearcats would control the game from start to finish.
On the first possession of the game, the explosive Paint Valley offense was firing on all cylinders. A 25-yard pass over the middle by Preston Fauber to Carson Free put the Bearcats on the 5-yard line.
This set up Braylon Robertson to punch the ball in for the first score of the game in less than 2 minutes. Braylon Robertson would break off a 25-yard rushing touchdown on the next drive to go up 13-0 halfway through the first quarter. These two drives set the tone for the first half as the offensive trio of Fauber, Free, and Robertson put up 28 points in the first half.
Paint Valley’s offense has put up large numbers all season, but tonight the Bearcat defense excelled. They held the Huntington offense to just five 1st downs in the first half. The defensive line bolstered by Caleb Sauders stuffed the Huntsmen rushing attack. After being stuck in neutral for most of the 2nd quarter Huntington quarterback Noah Potter found Gabe Beardsley for a big 1st down pass.
What looked like a momentum shifting play from the Huntsmen was countered by a defensive stop by Paint Valley. This trend would continue as a potentially dangerous Huntington offense couldn’t solve the Paint Valley defense.
The Bearcats would not let go of the gas and shut the Huntsmen out 41 to 0.
Huntington will look to avenge this loss when they host Westfall next week. As for Paint Valley, their game has much more at stake. Next week will see them host a very strong Unioto team.
With the Shermans win against Zane Trace, both Unioto and Paint Valley will be undefeated in SVC play. Therefore, their matchup will be for the SVC title.
The Bearcats will look to continue their form once that fateful matchup against Unioto commences.