Vikings Put Up 39 Unanswered Points To Win Bell Game
August 25, 2023 at 11:20 p.m.
ROCHESTER – While recent years have told us that football conferences and the teams that occupy them don’t last forever, one fact that remains about the sport is that rivalries certainly do.
This was evident Friday night as a capacity crowd watched Tippecanoe Valley and Rochester battle in the Bell Game for the first time since Valley’s departure from the Three Rivers Conference. After starting a bit sluggish, the Vikings turned it on to the tune of 39 straight points, earning a 39-8 victory and keeping the Bell in Akron.
“We really worked this week in practice to get the offense going, especially heading to face a team like Rochester,” Valley head coach Steve Moriarty said. “I think overall we played a hard- nosed team that reminds us of us. The worst part about the Bell Game is having to wait a year to defend it.”
The Vikings began the game with the ball and, after a poor kick from Rochester, some great starting field position. Just two yards shy of the 50, Valley got down to work quickly, with quarterback Cody Eastgate finding his tight end Landon Durkes for a quality gain. The Vikings would continue moving the chains off of the back of running back Nate Parker, who started much more quickly than last week with some impactful carries.
It would all be for naught, however. Nearing the red zone, Eastgate would make his only big mistake of the game, throwing into double coverage, resulting in an interception. The Zebras would take advantage of the opportunity, methodically going to work with the running game and wearing down the Valley defense. Grady Moriarty was everywhere for the Vikings on this opening drive, making four tackles on the possession.
Tippy Valley had the opportunity to get off the field with the Zebras going for it on 4th and two near midfield. For the first time in the game though, some sloppiness would seep through. The Vikings would jump offsides, giving their rivals a free first down, which was all the home side needed. A few plays later on third and long, Senior Alex Deming would break free for a 43-yard score. The ensuing two-point conversion would be good, giving the Zebras an 8-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.
Looking to jump on the visitors, Rochester attempted an onside kick after the score. Valley would recover, giving the Vikings great starting field position once again. This time, the visitors would not squander the opportunity. Facing a third and long of his own. Eastgate stayed poised in the pocket despite pressure, escaping and uncorking a moon-shot pass to senior Wade Jones for a 37-yard score. Tippy Valley would tie the game moments later, making the score 8-8 with three and a half minutes left in the first.
Senior Wade Jones of Tippecanoe Valley pulls in a pass for a 36-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of Friday night's game at Rochester. Photo by Gary NieterRochester once again looked good offensively on the following drive, running the football and moving the chains with ease. It seemed that the Vikings would soon be playing from behind once again, but a costly fumble in the red zone would stop the drive in its tracks and give the ball right back.
“They really started driving on us. We couldn’t stop them and I was scrambling to try to figure something out to slow them down,” Moriarty said. “But then all of a sudden the ball is loose and we have it. That was a huge turning point for us.”
With a minute remaining in the opening quarter, Valley was able to take advantage immediately. On the second play of the following drive, Parker broke free on the sidelines, racing past all eleven defenders in an instant and racing 82 yards to put his team on top for the first time in the contest.
Now in control, the Vikings showcased their dominance some more by forcing a three-and-out by the home side after giving the ball back. A poor punt and a penalty gave the ball back to Valley at the Zebra 25, but once again, penalties got in the way of a score. A second touchdown for Jones was wiped off the board on a holding call, and the field goal attempt that followed was no good.
Now with a chance to seize the momentum back, Rochester once again put an impressive drive together. But once again, the Zebras fumbled the football deep in Valley territory, giving the visitors yet another opportunity to extend their lead.
This time, they would. Eastgate would connect with Durkes once again, this time for 60 yards to get deep into Rochester territory. More penalties would prevent Valley from adding a touchdown, but on his second attempt of the game, Gage Overbey converted his kick, extending his team’s lead to 10 with just over a minute left in the half.
Shockingly, the Vikings weren’t done there. Tippy Valley attempted an onside kick of its own after the score, recovering the football in the process. Smelling blood in the water, Valley struck once again. This time, it was Eastgate finding Parker for a 48-yard score. With 10 points in the final minute of the half and 25 unanswered, the visitors found themselves in good shape going into halftime.
“He was on fire. He was having fun. He did a great job and I was really happy with his poise in the pocket,” Moriarty said. “We tried to set him up for success to try and get him in rhythm and he did the rest.”
Needing something and needing it quick, the Zebras would go for it on fourth down deep in their own territory to start the second half. They would not convert. Once again, the Vikings would turn the turnover into points. After moving the ball a bit closer to the goal, Eastgate connected with Parker for his third touchdown pass of the night, this time from 16 yards out. With five minutes left in the third and Valley now up 32-8, the once packed-to-the-brim Zebra student section began to file out.
Not done yet, Valley poured it on a little more their next time with the ball. Despite the team not being able to get out of their own way with more penalties, Eastgate was able to add touchdown pass No. 4 on the night, connecting with Jones once again for 46 yards. Only catching the ball a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage, Jones masterfully weaved his way through the Zebra defense, prancing his way into the end zone and making it 39-8 with 30 seconds left in the third.
“Wade is such an anchor for us. He covers ground so well,” Moriarty said. “Two picks last week and two touchdowns tonight, he’s a special kid.”
Both teams traded possessions in the fourth quarter but no more scoring would happen. Along with his four touchdown passes, Eastgate would throw for 239 yards. Durkes caught two balls for 68 yards. Jones had 96 yards receiving and two scores. Parker finished his night with over 200 yards of total offense, 160 on the ground and 70 receiving.
The Vikings faces off with Twin Lakes next Friday for the team’s first home game of the year.
ROCHESTER – While recent years have told us that football conferences and the teams that occupy them don’t last forever, one fact that remains about the sport is that rivalries certainly do.
This was evident Friday night as a capacity crowd watched Tippecanoe Valley and Rochester battle in the Bell Game for the first time since Valley’s departure from the Three Rivers Conference. After starting a bit sluggish, the Vikings turned it on to the tune of 39 straight points, earning a 39-8 victory and keeping the Bell in Akron.
“We really worked this week in practice to get the offense going, especially heading to face a team like Rochester,” Valley head coach Steve Moriarty said. “I think overall we played a hard- nosed team that reminds us of us. The worst part about the Bell Game is having to wait a year to defend it.”
The Vikings began the game with the ball and, after a poor kick from Rochester, some great starting field position. Just two yards shy of the 50, Valley got down to work quickly, with quarterback Cody Eastgate finding his tight end Landon Durkes for a quality gain. The Vikings would continue moving the chains off of the back of running back Nate Parker, who started much more quickly than last week with some impactful carries.
It would all be for naught, however. Nearing the red zone, Eastgate would make his only big mistake of the game, throwing into double coverage, resulting in an interception. The Zebras would take advantage of the opportunity, methodically going to work with the running game and wearing down the Valley defense. Grady Moriarty was everywhere for the Vikings on this opening drive, making four tackles on the possession.
Tippy Valley had the opportunity to get off the field with the Zebras going for it on 4th and two near midfield. For the first time in the game though, some sloppiness would seep through. The Vikings would jump offsides, giving their rivals a free first down, which was all the home side needed. A few plays later on third and long, Senior Alex Deming would break free for a 43-yard score. The ensuing two-point conversion would be good, giving the Zebras an 8-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.
Looking to jump on the visitors, Rochester attempted an onside kick after the score. Valley would recover, giving the Vikings great starting field position once again. This time, the visitors would not squander the opportunity. Facing a third and long of his own. Eastgate stayed poised in the pocket despite pressure, escaping and uncorking a moon-shot pass to senior Wade Jones for a 37-yard score. Tippy Valley would tie the game moments later, making the score 8-8 with three and a half minutes left in the first.
Senior Wade Jones of Tippecanoe Valley pulls in a pass for a 36-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of Friday night's game at Rochester. Photo by Gary NieterRochester once again looked good offensively on the following drive, running the football and moving the chains with ease. It seemed that the Vikings would soon be playing from behind once again, but a costly fumble in the red zone would stop the drive in its tracks and give the ball right back.
“They really started driving on us. We couldn’t stop them and I was scrambling to try to figure something out to slow them down,” Moriarty said. “But then all of a sudden the ball is loose and we have it. That was a huge turning point for us.”
With a minute remaining in the opening quarter, Valley was able to take advantage immediately. On the second play of the following drive, Parker broke free on the sidelines, racing past all eleven defenders in an instant and racing 82 yards to put his team on top for the first time in the contest.
Now in control, the Vikings showcased their dominance some more by forcing a three-and-out by the home side after giving the ball back. A poor punt and a penalty gave the ball back to Valley at the Zebra 25, but once again, penalties got in the way of a score. A second touchdown for Jones was wiped off the board on a holding call, and the field goal attempt that followed was no good.
Now with a chance to seize the momentum back, Rochester once again put an impressive drive together. But once again, the Zebras fumbled the football deep in Valley territory, giving the visitors yet another opportunity to extend their lead.
This time, they would. Eastgate would connect with Durkes once again, this time for 60 yards to get deep into Rochester territory. More penalties would prevent Valley from adding a touchdown, but on his second attempt of the game, Gage Overbey converted his kick, extending his team’s lead to 10 with just over a minute left in the half.
Shockingly, the Vikings weren’t done there. Tippy Valley attempted an onside kick of its own after the score, recovering the football in the process. Smelling blood in the water, Valley struck once again. This time, it was Eastgate finding Parker for a 48-yard score. With 10 points in the final minute of the half and 25 unanswered, the visitors found themselves in good shape going into halftime.
“He was on fire. He was having fun. He did a great job and I was really happy with his poise in the pocket,” Moriarty said. “We tried to set him up for success to try and get him in rhythm and he did the rest.”
Needing something and needing it quick, the Zebras would go for it on fourth down deep in their own territory to start the second half. They would not convert. Once again, the Vikings would turn the turnover into points. After moving the ball a bit closer to the goal, Eastgate connected with Parker for his third touchdown pass of the night, this time from 16 yards out. With five minutes left in the third and Valley now up 32-8, the once packed-to-the-brim Zebra student section began to file out.
Not done yet, Valley poured it on a little more their next time with the ball. Despite the team not being able to get out of their own way with more penalties, Eastgate was able to add touchdown pass No. 4 on the night, connecting with Jones once again for 46 yards. Only catching the ball a few yards beyond the line of scrimmage, Jones masterfully weaved his way through the Zebra defense, prancing his way into the end zone and making it 39-8 with 30 seconds left in the third.
“Wade is such an anchor for us. He covers ground so well,” Moriarty said. “Two picks last week and two touchdowns tonight, he’s a special kid.”
Both teams traded possessions in the fourth quarter but no more scoring would happen. Along with his four touchdown passes, Eastgate would throw for 239 yards. Durkes caught two balls for 68 yards. Jones had 96 yards receiving and two scores. Parker finished his night with over 200 yards of total offense, 160 on the ground and 70 receiving.
The Vikings faces off with Twin Lakes next Friday for the team’s first home game of the year.