Valley continues strong start, shuts down Waverly
By: Andrew Woods
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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – The Valley Indians (4-0) have had one of the best starts in the 740, going 4-0 to start the season for the first time since 2015. The key to that start has been their defense, which allows an average of 2.5 points per game. That defense continued to shine against the Waverly Tigers (0-4), holding the Tigers to a field goal on their way to a 25-3 victory.
Both Waverly and Valley started the game with long drives that did not end as planned. The Tigers began with the ball and moved quickly thanks to a 49-yard catch by WR Hez Nelson. However, the Tigers stalled out in the Valley red zone and could not convert a fourth-and-11. Valley took over and ran a long, methodical drive fueled by a strong rushing attack. The drive also stalled in the red zone, but the Indians kicked a 33-yard field goal to go up 3-0.
Valley forced a three-and-out on its next drive, and after taking over, milked the clock with a 10-minute drive. However, thanks to some penalties, it looked like the drive was going to stall out. Then, QB Hunter Cunningham hit WR Gabe McNeil to score a touchdown, which the Indians followed up with a 2-point conversion.
Valley controlled the clock throughout. The Indians had the ball for 40 minutes and 45 seconds, while Waverly only had it for 14 minutes and 57 seconds.
With three minutes left in the first half, Waverly had its best drive of the game. With some pass interference calls on the Indians, the Tigers made it to the red zone again. However, the Indians came through with a stop and held Waverly to a field goal, which made the score 11-3 at halftime.
As soon as the second half began, Valley came out swinging. On their second play of the half, RB Anthony Aaron broke loose and ran 65 yards to the end zone for the biggest play of the game.
Aaron was the heart of the Indians offense. He took 25 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown, while also taking the ball on half of Valley’s offensive plays. However, he was not the Indians’ only offensive contributor. Fellow RB Gabe McNeil racked up 96 scrimmage yards and also added a score.
After the big touchdown, both defenses stepped up. While each made it into opposing territory, thanks to penalties and a Valley fumble, neither team scored for the rest of the third quarter and most of the fourth. In fact, due to some unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, Waverly had a third-and-41 early in the fourth.
As the clock continued run, Waverly was running out of time to make a comeback. Late in the fourth, the Tigers had a drive foiled by a sack from Valley DL Jose Maldonado and a holding penalty. With the chance to deliver the final blow, RB Braxton Conaway delivered, scoring with a 45-yard rushing touchdown to clinch a 25-3 victory.
Although Waverly’s offense struggled, WRs Briar Barch and Hez Nelson performed well. Both caught five passes. Barch took those passes for 87 yards, while Nelson took them for 78 yards.
Both Waverly and Valley struggled with penalties throughout the game. Both teams committed 12 infractions apiece for a total of 196 yards lost to penalties.
Valley’s vaunted defense will look to slow down the Wheelersburg Pirates (4-0) in a battle of undefeated SOC-II teams. Meanwhile, Waverly will try to get their first win against Portsmouth West (1-3).