BYESVILLE − Momentum jumped from sideline to sideline in a high-scoring high school football season opener, which ended with visiting Tri-Valley beating Meadowbrook, 48-28 on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Eugene Capers Field.
Sophomore Leevi Wade had a productive night, toting the football with a nose for the end zone for the Scotties. Wade churned out 101 yards rushing on 21 carries with four rushing TDs.
A flurry of back-and-forth action through three quarters left the game deadlocked at 21-21 before the Scotties made the decisive push to collect the Week 1 victory.
Tri-Valley reeled off four unanswered touchdowns over the first eight-plus minutes of the final quarter.
“I think we learned what momentum is all about tonight,” Tri-Valley coach Cam West said. “We had a big lead and then gave it all away. But props to Meadowbrook, they really had nothing going until that big scoring drive to end the first half.”
“And they were able to control the ball in that third quarter. But we were able to make the plays when we had to,” West added. “Leevi had a big night for us, and although just a sophomore, he has the ability to be a special back. He’s got a good feel for the game.”
Trick play at halftime leads Meadowbrook rally
The Scotties led 21-0, with Wade finding the end zone on three straight possessions.
With the first half coming to a close, Meadowbrook was in dire need of a big play.
Taking possession with just 46 seconds left before the break, the Colts delivered. With 1.9 seconds on the clock, junior QB Michael Ray found senior Braylon Lowery with a throw-back pass and took off downfield.
Lowery turned and let loose with a pass that found Ray in stride for a 31-yard touchdown to turn momentum over to the host Colts.
Meadowbrook kept the momentum to open the second half. Back-to-back touchdowns, capped by Ray finding Cooper McManaway with a 25-yard scoring pass, tied the game.
New starting QBs make strong opening statements
Both teams entered the night with new QBs. Scotties sophomore Stone Spiker took over for All-Ohioan Max Lyall and came through with a solid performance.
Spiker connected on 13-of-20 attempts for 155 yards with a TD. Junior Lucca Gargasz had two receptions for 95 yards including a 63-yard touchdown grab that sparked the game-winning run by the Scotties.
Ray, who replaces Justice Huey and his record-setting 2024, finished 25-for-51 for 208 yards. Lowery finished with the 31-yard TD pass and also latched onto 5 receptions for 60 yards.
Tri-Valley will pay a visit to Granville in Week 2 action, while Meadowbrook will trek to Barnesville with both games featuring 7 p.m. kickoff.
Correspondent Brandon Hannahs contributed to this story
KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Momentum swings favor
Tri-Valley in high scoring Week 1 victory over Meadowbrook
Reporting by Kevin Sutton, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
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