CASSTOWN — Twin Valley South hung tough with Miami East for one half of play, but a three-touchdown third quarter by East opened the game up and the Vikings ran away with a 41-6 win in front of their home crowd on Friday, Oct. 30.
“We came out flat, but were very much in the game in the first half,” said TVS head coach Tyler Cates. “In the second half, we missed opportunities and them capitalizing on our mistakes cost us. They are a really good football team and we made way too many mistakes.”
East scored on their opening drive of the game, connecting on a 34-yard pass before tacking on a five-yard touchdown run in the first, going up 14-0 early.
South was able to hold the score there for the remaining minutes of the half, going into the break losing 14-0.
But a big third quarter, with scores off a 12-yard run, 30-yard run, and a one-yard plunge, pushed the lead to 34-0.
In the fourth, South was able to get on the board by a 10-yard pass from Jacob Bassler to Jordan Peterson, cutting the deficit to 34-6.
The Vikings tacked on one final touchdown by nights end though with another short run to close out the game. The win also secured a share of the Cross County Conference title with Covington.
“Definitely not the way we wanted to finish the season, but can’t go back in time,” said Cates. “I am very proud of the seniors this year especially after losing 15 seniors and being picked to go 1-9 – 6-4 is much better, but still not reaching the goals we set for ourselves. We wanted to win the CCC and go to the playoffs.”
The senior class – Aaron Deaton, Chad Ehler, Jacob Bassler, JJ Utz, Jordan Peterson, Tanner Pinkerton, and Dalton White – finish their four year career at South with an overall record of 21-18, the first class in several years to tally an overall winning record.
“I am very attached to this group and it was a very sad night to think that was the last time I will be able to coach that group,” said Cates. “Our seven seniors will be greatly missed for their dedication, heart, and leadership, especially when times were tough.”
