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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Spring Valley beats Princeton
Spring Valley's Anthony Evans breaks a tackle during the high school football game against Princeton on Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Spring Valley High School.
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SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley opened the 2009 football season with high expectations after last season’s surprising playoff appearance.
However, on Friday night, the Timberwolves appeared to be flat and playing below its potential.
Good thing it has a weapon in kicker George Brody who booted three field goals to lead Spring Valley past Princeton, 16-6.
“He (Brody) carried us on his back tonight” Spring Valley head coach Brad Dingess said. “Thank God for George Brody. I think he is the best kicker in the state.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Brody split the uprights and connected on his most important field goal of the night to give the Timberwolves a 9-6 edge.
However, Princeton’s Tevin Allen returned the next kickoff to the Tiger 40-yard line. Princeton quarterback Jerrell Powell rushed for two first downs on the drive, moving the ball well into Spring Valley territory.
However, on fourth down and 4 yards to go, receiver Jelani Burrell dropped a pass in the end zone that would have given the Tigers the lead. Spring Valley took over on downs, and produced its best drive of the night.
The Timberwolves marched down the field, and running back Zach Wellman scored on a 7-yard touchdown run to seal the game.
A couple of Spring Valley mistakes in the first half allowed Princeton to stay in the game.
In the first quarter, the Timberwolves Dane Niday scored on a screen pass from Eric Slayton. However, the play was called back due to a penalty.
In the second quarter, Spring Valley threatened again. The Timberwolves had the ball on the Tiger 5-yard line, but Slayton threw an interception in the end zone.
While the Spring Valley offense sputtered, its defense shined.
Spring Valley’s front seven did good job of containing Princeton’s speedy Allen and the elusive Powell.
“Our kids did a good job of keeping those guys in front of them,” Dingess said. “They didn’t give up big plays, only six or seven yards. You limit guys like that from making big plays and holding them to six points is a really good job I think.”
In an opening game, rust and a lack of execution is understandable from any team.
Dingess knows his team has some things to work on as it prepares for next Friday’s showdown with arch-rival Huntington High. Also, he complemented the talented Princeton team.
“Princeton is a really good football team,” he said. “We have a lot to work on, I think a team takes its biggest strides from week one to week two. We have to get in better shape, we gotta learn to block better and tackle a little better in the open field.”
The Timberwolves’ Slayton ran 14 times for 45 yards and Wellman had 11 carries for 42 yards.
Princeton’s Allen had 12 carries for 54 yards. Powell was 8 of 14 passing for 111 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.
PRINCETON 0 6 0 0 — 6
SPRING VALLEY 3 0 3 10 — 16
SV- Brody 36 FG
P- Grose 24 pass from Powell (kick failed)
SV- Brody 44 FG
SV- Brody 39 FG
SV- Wellman 7 run (Brody kick)
P SV
First downs 11 10
Total net yards 208 161
Rushes-yards 93 161
Passing-yards 115 0
Passes 9/17 0-4
Punts 4 2
Fumbles/Lost 1/1 2/0
Penalties 9/75 2/15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Princeton: Allen 12-54, Powell 9-38, Mallory 2-1, Moretto 1-1, Antwi 1-0, Barnett 1-(minus 1)
Spring Valley: Slayton 14-45, Wellman 11-42, Niday 6-43, Evans 5-18, Stewart 4-11, Bays 1-2.
PASSING — Princeton: Powell 8-14-1-111, Barnett 1-3-0-4. Spring Valley: Slayton 0-3-1-0, Wellman 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING — Princeton: Grose 5-81, Burrell 2-16, Pannell 1-12, Allen 1-6.
