Vikings Tame Tigers In Sectional Opener
October 20, 2018 at 6:21 a.m.
By Ryan Villanueva-
They had to shift gears and get ready for the opening round of the Class 3A Sectional 27 against Peru.
It’s been six years since the Vikings opened postseason play with a win, and while going up against a winless Peru Tigers team, there was no room for mistakes.
Valley’s defense and running game made sure the Vikings would play again next week.
With a 201-yard, four-touchdown performance from senior halfback Cameron Parker, Valley beat Peru 34-7 Friday night at Bengal Memorial Stadium.
“It’s very big, and it’s contributed by the kids and their hard work this week,” said Moriarty. “We had some trouble coming out of the gate … but we finally were able to get to the outside and to the open field. I’m very proud of Wes Melanson and Jaydin Conley getting out there and getting those blocks, because if they don’t get their blocks, Cameron [Parker] doesn’t rush as much.”
Before Friday night’s game, the Vikings’ Alex Morrison was ruled out with an injury, which meant that junior linebacker Jasten Snapp would fill his role on defense. Moriarty was pleased with Snapp’s performance.
“I was proud of them all, but I was very proud of [Justin] Snapp,” said Moriarty. “He stepped in tonight and did fantastic. To step in not knowing on Thursday that you would be losing your starting linebacker and captain, it’s hard to take, but he stepped right in and did the job.”
It was slow going for both the Tigers and Vikings as each team punted after their first three possessions of the game. In all, they combined for eight punts in the first half. Five of those drives resulted in three-and-outs, adding frustration for both teams.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings finally got something going after being given a short field following a fake punt situation. A few big runs from Parker set himself up for a 2-yard touchdown to get the Vikings on the board first.
On the ensuing extra point attempt, after the snap had gotten away from the placeholder, sophomore wideout Jacob Davis slipped and fell awkwardly, resulting in a neck injury that would see him off to a hospital for evaluation. Based on updates at the conclusion of the game, Moriarty believes it to be a neck stinger.
“We’re praying for Jacob,” said Moriarty. “To get taken away in an ambulance, it’s heartbreaking not only for the parents, but for the kids and the coaches as well. But he’s OK and he’s moving around. He’s in good spirits.”
The game was halted for approximately 20 minutes. When play resumed, the Valley defense pressured the Tiger offense, forcing a punt. On that drive, Parker scored a second touchdown, this time from seven yards out. Topped by a successful two-point conversion, Valley went into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
It looked like the Vikings had control of the game, but Peru did not go away quietly.
Kade Townsend, who is listed as the Tigers’ punter, returned the third quarter opening kickoff 85 yards for a score, putting Peru right back in it.
Valley’s Jaydin Conley, a junior defensive back, would step forth for the defense.
On Peru’s two following drives, Conley was in the right place at the right time, recording back-to-back interceptions in an effort to keep the game out of reach for the Tigers.
Giving Parker a bit of rest in the quarter, Valley junior Dakota Gaff stepped in and scored on a 22-yard run, all but cementing a win with the final quarter still to play.
The staunch Vikings defense held its ground in the fourth quarter. Senior lineman and placekicker Jose Rivera recovered a fumble late in the game, and he saw time in the backfield, where he ripped a 10-yard run for a first down with seconds remaining in the contest.
Next week, Valley will host the Maconaquah Braves, who defeated John Glenn 42-13 in their opening-round game.
“The chance to play – if we win [against Maconaquah] – in a sectional championship, it’s huge,” said Moriarty.
“To have the opportunity to do that, especially for the team and the morale … as a team, we are not going to lie down. We have some fight in us. I’m excited to see the game next week, and I know they’re a very good team, so we have got a lot of preparation to do. Hopefully, we are up for the challenge.”
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 34, PERU 7
TV 0 14 14 6 — 34
P 0 0 7 0 — 7
TV P
Rushing yds 342 129
Passing yds 12 34
Comp-Att-Int 1-6-0 5-25-2
Total yds 354 163
Penalties/yds 5/47 5-58
Second Quarter
V – Cameron Parker 2 run (run failed), 6:30
V – Parker 7 run (Jace Potter pass from Noah Miller), 1:51
Third Quarter
P – Kade Townsend 85 kickoff return (Zach Johnson), 11:45
V – Parker 11 run (Jose Rivera kick), 6:39
V – Gaff 22 run (Rivera kick), 2:40
Fourth Quarter
V – Parker 4 run (kick blocked), 11:46
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — Valley, Cameron Parker 26-201, Wes Melanson 7-42, Dakota Gaff 5-42, Jaydin Conley 3-29, Noah Miller 3-16, Jose Rivera 2-12; Peru, Torrion’Ja Forrest 20-81, Michael Chandler 9-12, Issac Sible 5-15, Darien Cleaver 4-10, Jeremy Brown 1-2. ?Passing — Valley, Miller 1-5-12, Parker 0-1-0; Peru, Chandler 5-25-34, 2 INT.
Receiving — Valley, Jace Potter 1-12; Peru, Jake Steeler 2-15, Forrest 2-11, Sible 1-8.
Records: Valley 6-4, Peru 0-10
Latest News
E-Editions
They had to shift gears and get ready for the opening round of the Class 3A Sectional 27 against Peru.
It’s been six years since the Vikings opened postseason play with a win, and while going up against a winless Peru Tigers team, there was no room for mistakes.
Valley’s defense and running game made sure the Vikings would play again next week.
With a 201-yard, four-touchdown performance from senior halfback Cameron Parker, Valley beat Peru 34-7 Friday night at Bengal Memorial Stadium.
“It’s very big, and it’s contributed by the kids and their hard work this week,” said Moriarty. “We had some trouble coming out of the gate … but we finally were able to get to the outside and to the open field. I’m very proud of Wes Melanson and Jaydin Conley getting out there and getting those blocks, because if they don’t get their blocks, Cameron [Parker] doesn’t rush as much.”
Before Friday night’s game, the Vikings’ Alex Morrison was ruled out with an injury, which meant that junior linebacker Jasten Snapp would fill his role on defense. Moriarty was pleased with Snapp’s performance.
“I was proud of them all, but I was very proud of [Justin] Snapp,” said Moriarty. “He stepped in tonight and did fantastic. To step in not knowing on Thursday that you would be losing your starting linebacker and captain, it’s hard to take, but he stepped right in and did the job.”
It was slow going for both the Tigers and Vikings as each team punted after their first three possessions of the game. In all, they combined for eight punts in the first half. Five of those drives resulted in three-and-outs, adding frustration for both teams.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings finally got something going after being given a short field following a fake punt situation. A few big runs from Parker set himself up for a 2-yard touchdown to get the Vikings on the board first.
On the ensuing extra point attempt, after the snap had gotten away from the placeholder, sophomore wideout Jacob Davis slipped and fell awkwardly, resulting in a neck injury that would see him off to a hospital for evaluation. Based on updates at the conclusion of the game, Moriarty believes it to be a neck stinger.
“We’re praying for Jacob,” said Moriarty. “To get taken away in an ambulance, it’s heartbreaking not only for the parents, but for the kids and the coaches as well. But he’s OK and he’s moving around. He’s in good spirits.”
The game was halted for approximately 20 minutes. When play resumed, the Valley defense pressured the Tiger offense, forcing a punt. On that drive, Parker scored a second touchdown, this time from seven yards out. Topped by a successful two-point conversion, Valley went into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
It looked like the Vikings had control of the game, but Peru did not go away quietly.
Kade Townsend, who is listed as the Tigers’ punter, returned the third quarter opening kickoff 85 yards for a score, putting Peru right back in it.
Valley’s Jaydin Conley, a junior defensive back, would step forth for the defense.
On Peru’s two following drives, Conley was in the right place at the right time, recording back-to-back interceptions in an effort to keep the game out of reach for the Tigers.
Giving Parker a bit of rest in the quarter, Valley junior Dakota Gaff stepped in and scored on a 22-yard run, all but cementing a win with the final quarter still to play.
The staunch Vikings defense held its ground in the fourth quarter. Senior lineman and placekicker Jose Rivera recovered a fumble late in the game, and he saw time in the backfield, where he ripped a 10-yard run for a first down with seconds remaining in the contest.
Next week, Valley will host the Maconaquah Braves, who defeated John Glenn 42-13 in their opening-round game.
“The chance to play – if we win [against Maconaquah] – in a sectional championship, it’s huge,” said Moriarty.
“To have the opportunity to do that, especially for the team and the morale … as a team, we are not going to lie down. We have some fight in us. I’m excited to see the game next week, and I know they’re a very good team, so we have got a lot of preparation to do. Hopefully, we are up for the challenge.”
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 34, PERU 7
TV 0 14 14 6 — 34
P 0 0 7 0 — 7
TV P
Rushing yds 342 129
Passing yds 12 34
Comp-Att-Int 1-6-0 5-25-2
Total yds 354 163
Penalties/yds 5/47 5-58
Second Quarter
V – Cameron Parker 2 run (run failed), 6:30
V – Parker 7 run (Jace Potter pass from Noah Miller), 1:51
Third Quarter
P – Kade Townsend 85 kickoff return (Zach Johnson), 11:45
V – Parker 11 run (Jose Rivera kick), 6:39
V – Gaff 22 run (Rivera kick), 2:40
Fourth Quarter
V – Parker 4 run (kick blocked), 11:46
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — Valley, Cameron Parker 26-201, Wes Melanson 7-42, Dakota Gaff 5-42, Jaydin Conley 3-29, Noah Miller 3-16, Jose Rivera 2-12; Peru, Torrion’Ja Forrest 20-81, Michael Chandler 9-12, Issac Sible 5-15, Darien Cleaver 4-10, Jeremy Brown 1-2. ?Passing — Valley, Miller 1-5-12, Parker 0-1-0; Peru, Chandler 5-25-34, 2 INT.
Receiving — Valley, Jace Potter 1-12; Peru, Jake Steeler 2-15, Forrest 2-11, Sible 1-8.
Records: Valley 6-4, Peru 0-10
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092