ROCHESTER - It's often said that when two rivals meet, like Valley and Rochester, throw out the records because what has happened up to that point in the season doesn't mean anything. That wasn't the case on Friday night, though, as undefeated class 2A No. 5 Rochester took it to Valley 38-6.

This game was not only over bragging rights. Valley's stranglehold on "The Bell" was at stake in this game. The bell is the prize awarded to the winning team of this game. When one school wrestles it away from the other, the bell is then appropriately painted that school's color. The bell has been green and gold for quite some time, and Valley did put up a good fight to hold onto it in the first half.

The Vikings opened the game with possession of the ball at their own 18-yard line after a fumbled kick return held them back deep in their own territory. However, Anthony Simpson and Matt Baker got Valley some room to work with after a pair of first downs. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Eaton completed a pass to Baker 11 yards downfield for another first down and Valley was on the move.

After two more rushing first downs, Valley had first-and-10 at the Rochester 30 and the Zebras on their heels. However, a holding penalty pushed Valley back and then Kevin Clark picked off an errant Eaton pass and returned it to the Valley 46-yard line.

Rochester quickly drove to the 12-yard line behind the duo of Bret Henderson and Jeremy Swank. The drive stalled out though after Simpson made a tackle in the backfield and Clark threw an incompletion. But Jason Fincher came on to knock down the 29-yard field goal for a 3-0 Rochester lead.

Valley came right back on its second possession with a first down on two runs from Jason Parker, but Rochester forced Eaton to fumble on the next play and the Zebras took over at the Valley 34-yard line.

However, on the next play, James Dawson hit Clark just before he passed the ball to force a fumble. Dawson pounced on the ball and Valley then had good field position at the 45-yard line. After an Eric Prater 9-yard gallop and a pass completion to Prater for six yards, Valley was close to scoring position again. But two consecutive incompletions on third and fourth down gave the ball back to the Zebras.

Rochester and Valley exchanged three-and-out possessions before Rochester put together the first touchdown scoring drive of the game, an eight-play, 78-yard drive highlighted by a 30-yard scamper by Swank. He later scored from eight yards out to put Rochester ahead 10-0 before halftime.

In the open 24 minutes, the numbers weren't all that lopsided. Valley had 116 yards to Rochester's 182, but the Zebras only had one more first down than the Vikings. Henderson and Swank had combined for 135 yards on the ground, but Valley still only trailed by 10 points.

The first drive of the third quarter was the back breaker for Valley.

Rochester began the half with the ball at its own 22-yard line and Clark threw an incomplete pass on third-and-7 to force a punting situation. Valley could get the ball back with good field position and a chance to gain some much needed momentum. But a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Zebras a first down and Deric Beck caught a 39-yard touchdown strike a few plays later to put Rochester ahead 16-0.

"We had our punt block on," Valley head coach Scott Bibler said. "It was still a close ball game. We could've gotten the ball back. If we get a score, it's a new ball game. Instead, they get the first down."

From that point, Valley looked as if the wind had been taken from its sails as Rochester marched 57 yards on its next possession for another touchdown and a 24-0 lead.

After Valley came back with a touchdown on a 28-yard run from Parker to cut the lead to 18, the Zebras scored again early in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard plunge from Henderson to make the score 31-6. Rochester closed out the scoring with 5:20 to play in the game on a 7-yard touchdown run from Swank that made the score 38-6.

"They just physically wore us down," Bibler said. "We made too many mistakes to win a ball game like this. We had a lot of guys going both ways and they're big and strong. If we could have driven down the field and made that first score, it's puts them in a position that they haven't been in this year. They haven't been behind. We really needed to score first in this game."

"In the second half, we made some adjustments," Rochester head coach Mark Miller said. "They did a lot of blitzing, and we changed our blocking schemes at halftime. The kids picked it up real well. Defensively, we settled in and relaxed. We were opportunistic tonight."

For the game, Henderson rushed for 135 yards and Swank added 107. The two also combined for four touchdowns. Henderson has now rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season.

Valley was led by Parker, who rushed for 60 yards, although 28 of those came on his touchdown run.

"There a good football team," Bibler said. "They're bigger than we are, they're faster than we are. They did a nice job. I know it's been a long time coming for the bell and they deserve it. They played hard and I have to congratulate Rochester and their staff and their players."

Rochester is now 7-0 on the season. Valley (3-4, 3-2 in the TRC) will host North Miami on Friday. [[In-content Ad]]