Valley Begins Title Defense With Win

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Cliff Tanner-

NORTH MANCHESTER - Class 3A sixth-ranked Tippecanoe Valley took its first step in defending its Three Rivers Conference title Friday night.

The Vikings traveled to North Manchester and defeated a determined Manchester team 43-7 in the conference opener for both teams.

[[In-content Ad]]The game started with a moment of silence for the family of Valley player Kyle Horn, whose 12-year-old brother Jordan died in a tragic traffic accident Thursday night. Kyle Horn was present and suited up to support his team.

"I talked with the team before the game and told them that there was more important moments in life than football. I ask the Valley fans to give their thoughts and prayers to the Horn family through this tough time," second-year Valley coach Jeff Shriver said.

Kyle Ritchey scored two touchdowns - and had another called back - to help Valley run away with the game. Ritchey finished the game with 109 yards rushing on 11 carries. He also had two interceptions in the game.

"Kyle Ritchey played a great game for us tonight. He played good on both sides of the ball and had two interceptions that helped us pull away," Shriver said.

The Vikings took the opening kickoff and ran 6:11 off the clock, culminating on a Keith Koser1-yard touchdown run. Matt Smith kicked the extra point to put Valley up 7-0.

Manchester scored its only touchdown of the game in the second quarter, as Corey Thomas threw the ball to Skyler Howard, who shook off two tacklers and had a foot race down the sideline for a 89 yard touchdown. Broc Skarr's extra point was good to close the gap to 13-7.

"I am very proud of the way the kids played tonight. They came out very aggressive and actually believed we could beat Valley. It was a tremenous effort," Manchester coach Brandon Baker said.

Ritchey scored on a 36-yard run and scored on the two point conversion to go up 21-7 with 1:43 remaining in the first half.

Manchester's first play of the next drive resulted in Ritchey's first interception. Ritchey stepped in front of the receiver and sprinted 32 yards to put Valley up 28-7 at the half.

Valley's defense held Manchester to negative six yards rushing in the first half.

"I was proud the way our defense played tonight," Shriver said. "Manchester is on the right track. They came out very aggressive and threw the football. They are going to continue to improve."

Ritchey intercepted his second pass at the 10-yard line and ran 90 yards while breaking tackles and scored what appeared to be his third touchdown. A flag was thrown on the play and Valley was called for an illegal block in the back, bringing the ball back to the Valley 34-yard line.

Kyle Brady excited the Valley fans in the second half when he sprinted 72 yards down the left sideline. A flag was thrown after the referees had a conference in the endzone and Brady was called for an unsportsman like penalty. The penalty was assesed on the extra point allowing the score.

Brady, coming of an ankle injury, finished the game with 154 yards on ten carries.

Valley finished the game with 399 yards rushing and 48 yards in the air.

Manchester used two quarterbacks in the game. Thomas and Dylin Kennedy each played one half. Both quarterbacks just missed completing long passes throughout the game.

"We told Dylin and Corey that they would get one half each to get some experience," Baker said. "They both did a good job for playing in their first varsity game. We will continue to work on our mistakes. We will improve."

Valley improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in TRC play and will host Southwood Friday.

"Southwood is coming to Death Valley next week and it will be a tough contest," Shriver said. "We will need to be prepared."

Manchester dropped its record to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in TRC play. The Squires will travel to rival Whitko Friday.

NORTH MANCHESTER - Class 3A sixth-ranked Tippecanoe Valley took its first step in defending its Three Rivers Conference title Friday night.

The Vikings traveled to North Manchester and defeated a determined Manchester team 43-7 in the conference opener for both teams.

[[In-content Ad]]The game started with a moment of silence for the family of Valley player Kyle Horn, whose 12-year-old brother Jordan died in a tragic traffic accident Thursday night. Kyle Horn was present and suited up to support his team.

"I talked with the team before the game and told them that there was more important moments in life than football. I ask the Valley fans to give their thoughts and prayers to the Horn family through this tough time," second-year Valley coach Jeff Shriver said.

Kyle Ritchey scored two touchdowns - and had another called back - to help Valley run away with the game. Ritchey finished the game with 109 yards rushing on 11 carries. He also had two interceptions in the game.

"Kyle Ritchey played a great game for us tonight. He played good on both sides of the ball and had two interceptions that helped us pull away," Shriver said.

The Vikings took the opening kickoff and ran 6:11 off the clock, culminating on a Keith Koser1-yard touchdown run. Matt Smith kicked the extra point to put Valley up 7-0.

Manchester scored its only touchdown of the game in the second quarter, as Corey Thomas threw the ball to Skyler Howard, who shook off two tacklers and had a foot race down the sideline for a 89 yard touchdown. Broc Skarr's extra point was good to close the gap to 13-7.

"I am very proud of the way the kids played tonight. They came out very aggressive and actually believed we could beat Valley. It was a tremenous effort," Manchester coach Brandon Baker said.

Ritchey scored on a 36-yard run and scored on the two point conversion to go up 21-7 with 1:43 remaining in the first half.

Manchester's first play of the next drive resulted in Ritchey's first interception. Ritchey stepped in front of the receiver and sprinted 32 yards to put Valley up 28-7 at the half.

Valley's defense held Manchester to negative six yards rushing in the first half.

"I was proud the way our defense played tonight," Shriver said. "Manchester is on the right track. They came out very aggressive and threw the football. They are going to continue to improve."

Ritchey intercepted his second pass at the 10-yard line and ran 90 yards while breaking tackles and scored what appeared to be his third touchdown. A flag was thrown on the play and Valley was called for an illegal block in the back, bringing the ball back to the Valley 34-yard line.

Kyle Brady excited the Valley fans in the second half when he sprinted 72 yards down the left sideline. A flag was thrown after the referees had a conference in the endzone and Brady was called for an unsportsman like penalty. The penalty was assesed on the extra point allowing the score.

Brady, coming of an ankle injury, finished the game with 154 yards on ten carries.

Valley finished the game with 399 yards rushing and 48 yards in the air.

Manchester used two quarterbacks in the game. Thomas and Dylin Kennedy each played one half. Both quarterbacks just missed completing long passes throughout the game.

"We told Dylin and Corey that they would get one half each to get some experience," Baker said. "They both did a good job for playing in their first varsity game. We will continue to work on our mistakes. We will improve."

Valley improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in TRC play and will host Southwood Friday.

"Southwood is coming to Death Valley next week and it will be a tough contest," Shriver said. "We will need to be prepared."

Manchester dropped its record to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in TRC play. The Squires will travel to rival Whitko Friday.
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