Paint Valley hands West Jefferson their second straight loss
By: Jake Collins
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BAINBRIDGE, Ohio (WOUB)– Paint Valley (2-0) manufactured an impressive two-way performance against the West Jefferson Rough Riders (0-2) for a 28-14 victory in George Knisley Memorial Stadium. The Bearcats begin their season with a 2-0 start for the first time since the Bearcat’s undefeated 2018 season.
For Paint Valley, the focus of stopping West Jefferson’s offense needed to rely on the secondary to suppress the pass-heavy style of the Rough Riders. An aspect that the Bearcats have struggled to conquer in the previous three matchups, losing by an average margin of 28 points.
Paint Valley’s secondary limited the Roughriders to 147 passing yards and limited explosive plays. Leading to a convincing victory for the Bearcats after the offense found a rhythm.
However, the game was not always in control by Paint Valley. After both teams traded their opening drives in punts, West Jefferson opened the scoresheet with Austin Buescher’s three-yard connection to Nick Fitzpatrick to propel the Roughriders to an early 7-0 lead.
The Bearcats quickly answered in the beginning of the second quarter with Braylon Robertson bulldozing in the end zone for Paint Valley’s first rushing touchdown.
Robertson’s efforts would quickly be replicated within minutes, this time by quarterback Preston Fauber finding an open seam in West Jefferson’s defense on a 45-yard run to put Paint Valley ahead for the first time, 14-7.
West Jefferson extended the drive on a third and short after a Paint Valley offside which resulted in a fresh set of downs within the 10-yard line.
However, The Bearcats defense repulsed the Rough Riders offense enough for West Jefferson’s field goal attempt to come fall short to maintain a 14-7 lead at halftime.
With the momentum in Paint Valley’s possession, Fauber found Carson Free on the 11-yard reception to continue the growth of the Bearcat’s lead to 14 points during the early stages of the second half.
Fauber and Free linked again in the third for a 22-yard contested catch to extend the lead at 28-7. Fauber totaled 143 total yards with three touchdowns in an efficient performance going 10 for 13.
West Jefferson put together a strong drive to find the end zone one more time early in the fourth, but Robertson’s interception sealed Paint Valley’s victory with three minutes left. Robertson totaled 140 yards on 31 carries to go with his interception.
Paint Valley will look to continue their winning streak next week against McClain Tigers (0-2) for the Bearcats final non-conference matchup.
West Jefferson is searching for their first victory of the season against inter-county opponent Madison Plains (1-1) for a cross-division OHC matchup.