Valley Shuts Out TRC Rival Manchester
September 11, 2021 at 4:05 a.m.
Valley Shuts Out TRC Rival Manchester
By Dale [email protected]
Through four games, the Class 3A No. 11 Vikings have certainly given their fans something to cheer about, and last night’s 36-0 win over visiting Three Rivers Conference rival Manchester was no different.
“First of all, I just wanna say thanks to everybody for coming out,” said Moriarty, whose team improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.
“The more the kids see the community support, the harder they play, the more they take pride in the community. That’ll pass on down to them, and one day they’ll start coming. We’re just very thankful for a good crowd.”
The Squires opened the game with a 14-play drive, chewing up more than half of the 12-minute, first-quarter clock, but turned the ball over on downs.
As the Vikings have done possession after possession this season, they put points on the scoreboard and backed their opponent up against the wall, so to speak.
Valley’s first drive Friday night ended with a 38-yard touchdown pass from senior signal caller Branson McBrier to classmate Rex Kirchenstien, giving the hosts a 6-0 lead with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings scored again with 6:44 left in the second stanza when sophomore Wade Jones picked off Manchester junior quarterback Brock Casper and returned it 56 yards to paydirt, pushing the hosts’ advantage to 12-0.
Jones has made an interception in each game so far this season.
McBrier connected with fellow senior Braden Shepherd for a 63-yard touchdown toss with 3:29 remaining before halftime, and after converting the 2-point conversion this time Valley led 20-0.
Senior Jamasyn Virgil scored Valley’s final two touchdowns, a 7-yard run with 5:02 left in the third quarter, and a 1-yard plunge with 10:40 remaining in the final frame.
Virgil led the Vikings’ ground game with seven carries for 30 yards, while sophomore Nate Parker added 29 yards on seven carries and McBrier finished with 21 yards on seven attempts.
Valley tallied 304 yards of total offense - 180 through the air and 124 on the ground.
McBrier was the definition of efficiency in the pass game, completing 7 of 9 attempts for 180 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Shepherd had two catches for 73 yards, while Kirchenstien added 61 yards on three receptions.
“Branson did fantastic throwing the ball tonight, another nice game for the senior,” said Moriarty, whose team is 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
“I thought the offensive line did a good job picking things up, fullbacks stepping up as well. It was nice to finally get him some time and get it to those athletes in space.”
On the flip side, Manchester’s Casper completed 18 of 34 attempts for 141 yards. He threw two interceptions.
Senior Braxton Ream led the Squires in rushing with 13 carries for 51 yards.
Senior Seth Gaerte caught eight passes for 87 yards.
The Vikings travel to Rochester Friday night to play their biggest rival in the annual battle for the bell trophy.
Manchester, now 1-2 overall and 1-1 in TRC action, hosts Northfield in Week 5.
Through four games, the Class 3A No. 11 Vikings have certainly given their fans something to cheer about, and last night’s 36-0 win over visiting Three Rivers Conference rival Manchester was no different.
“First of all, I just wanna say thanks to everybody for coming out,” said Moriarty, whose team improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.
“The more the kids see the community support, the harder they play, the more they take pride in the community. That’ll pass on down to them, and one day they’ll start coming. We’re just very thankful for a good crowd.”
The Squires opened the game with a 14-play drive, chewing up more than half of the 12-minute, first-quarter clock, but turned the ball over on downs.
As the Vikings have done possession after possession this season, they put points on the scoreboard and backed their opponent up against the wall, so to speak.
Valley’s first drive Friday night ended with a 38-yard touchdown pass from senior signal caller Branson McBrier to classmate Rex Kirchenstien, giving the hosts a 6-0 lead with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings scored again with 6:44 left in the second stanza when sophomore Wade Jones picked off Manchester junior quarterback Brock Casper and returned it 56 yards to paydirt, pushing the hosts’ advantage to 12-0.
Jones has made an interception in each game so far this season.
McBrier connected with fellow senior Braden Shepherd for a 63-yard touchdown toss with 3:29 remaining before halftime, and after converting the 2-point conversion this time Valley led 20-0.
Senior Jamasyn Virgil scored Valley’s final two touchdowns, a 7-yard run with 5:02 left in the third quarter, and a 1-yard plunge with 10:40 remaining in the final frame.
Virgil led the Vikings’ ground game with seven carries for 30 yards, while sophomore Nate Parker added 29 yards on seven carries and McBrier finished with 21 yards on seven attempts.
Valley tallied 304 yards of total offense - 180 through the air and 124 on the ground.
McBrier was the definition of efficiency in the pass game, completing 7 of 9 attempts for 180 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Shepherd had two catches for 73 yards, while Kirchenstien added 61 yards on three receptions.
“Branson did fantastic throwing the ball tonight, another nice game for the senior,” said Moriarty, whose team is 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
“I thought the offensive line did a good job picking things up, fullbacks stepping up as well. It was nice to finally get him some time and get it to those athletes in space.”
On the flip side, Manchester’s Casper completed 18 of 34 attempts for 141 yards. He threw two interceptions.
Senior Braxton Ream led the Squires in rushing with 13 carries for 51 yards.
Senior Seth Gaerte caught eight passes for 87 yards.
The Vikings travel to Rochester Friday night to play their biggest rival in the annual battle for the bell trophy.
Manchester, now 1-2 overall and 1-1 in TRC action, hosts Northfield in Week 5.
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