Granville stuns Tri-Valley in second half comeback victory
By: Maddie Kiefer
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GRANVILLE, Ohio (WOUB)— The Granville Blue Aces defeated the Tri-Valley Scotties in a comeback 32-29 victory at home to advance in the playoffs.
Granville received the ball first on the kickoff and begin at their own 21-yard line. Their offense went go three and out, being forced to punt the ball.
On the punt return, the Blue Aces’ early struggles continued. From about midfield, Tri-Valley would return the punt all the way to Granville’s six-yard line. Subsequently enough, Jayden Wallace would run it in from five yards out, giving Tri-Valley an early seven to nothing lead.
Hoping to bounce back from their struggles, the Blue Aces sustained a long second drive. Thanks to a penalty on third and 12, alongside multiple big plays, their drive was kept alive long enough to settle for a field goal, cutting the lead to four.
The Scotties bounced back on their next drive, hoping to keep their early momentum. Despite getting into many second or third and long situations, Tri-Valley kept their drive going thanks to a few big plays, capped off by an 18-yard touchdown run by Jayden Wallace once again to go up 14-3.
For Granville’s next drive, their passing game began to shine. Beckett Long would complete a big pass to Dante Varrasso for a 44-yard gain, putting the Blue Aces in Scotties territory. And shortly after, Beckett Long would find Varrasso again, dropping a perfectly placed pass over defenders in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown. Granville would complete the two-point conversion as well, making the score 14-11 Tri-Valley.
The Scotties’ offense would pick up where they left off on their next drive, however. Jayden Wallace took over the field, unleashing a long 27-yard run to put Tri-Valley in Blue Ace territory. The offense would continue marching down the field, finishing with a two-yard touchdown run by Jayden Wallace, his third of the night, to go up 21-11.
With about two minutes left, Granville hoped to march down the field and gain easy points before the half. Their offense advanced down the field quickly, passing the ball effectively. Unfortunately, on what would have been a 12-yard touchdown pass, a holding penalty was called, bringing it back. Tri-Valley capitalized, as Nathan Better picked up an interception in the endzone to end the half.
Down two scores, Granville needed serious momentum in the second half, and it seemed like everything would break their way. What could go wrong went wrong for the Scotties, as the Blue Aces capitalized on a big interception and a fumble recovery to take a 32-21 lead.
Tri-Valley put up a fight, scoring a touchdown of their own, but they would come up too little too late, falling to Granville by a score of 32-29. With that victory, Granville continues their undefeated season and advances in the playoffs.