DRESDEN — Philo had all the momentum in the third quarter on Friday night.
But, it didn’t take long for Tri-Valley to seize it.
The Scotties used a defensive stand to hold the Electrics to a field goal then scored 22 unanswered points in a five-minute span of the fourth as part of a 37-15 victory at Jack Anderson Stadium.
Tri-Valley coach Cam West credited the defense and a stout running game for helping his team take control. Leevi Wade highlighted that effort, carrying the ball 30 times for 105 yards and three scores, two in the fourth.
“We were leading at halftime, but it felt like we were down,” West said. “They hit a big pass play to get inside the 10, but I told our guys things get tight inside the 10. They answered the call.
“We had just 50 rushing yards in the first half, and that’s not how we win games,” he added. “We had to get the ground game going, and our kids followed the adjustments and executed the plan.”
There was an energy boost on the sidelines after that defensive stop, noted Wade. Tri-Valley carried that momentum throughout the fourth.
“It was a great feeling seeing us get that stop then we went out (on offense) and played with physicality,” Wade said. “The offensive line opened up seams, and I was able to hit them for some big plays.”
Tri-Valley’s win sets up another battle for the Muskingum Valley League Big School Division title against Sheridan next Friday.
Wade admitted there will be nerves, but feels like this team is finding itself at the right time.
West has been impressed with this team’s growth, but knows what it will take against the Generals.
“You have to bring your ‘A’ game every time you play Sheridan. Coach (Paul Culver III) always has his team ready to go,” he said. “We had a great week of practice this past week, and our guys are becoming better practice players. We’ll need a better week of practice because it’s going to take four great quarters to have a chance.”
Tri-Valley led 15-12 at the half, but Philo was on the verge of taking control when Jack Lincicome hit Aidan Mahon for a 44-yard gain to reach the Tri-Valley 4-yardline. However, a false start on first down and solid defense by the Scotties forced a 25-yard field goal by Cohen Davis that tied the game at 15 with 2:15 left in the third.
The Scotties answered with a six-play, 70-yard scoring drive. It was capped by Stone Spiker finding Casen Baker for the go-ahead, 19-yard TD in the opening minute of the fourth, as Tri-Valley led 21-15.
Philo was pinned inside its 10 after the kickoff. Lincicome caught his own tipped pass in the end zone, that led to a safety and gave the Scotties the momentum.
Tri-Valley returned the free kick for a score, but it was negated by a penalty. It didn’t matter, as Wade busted through the line and raced 36 yards to the end zone and added a two-point run for a 31-15 lead.
The Scotties then intercepted Lincicome on the next series, setting up a 24-yard scoring run by Wade.
Philo coach Dirk Lincicome compared the sudden surge to last year’s game with New Lexington. His team trailed 17-12 in that one before it suddenly became a 26-point deficit. Despite the tough loss, he praised Mahon, Lincicome and Christian Long, who all left last week’s loss to Sheridan with injuries, for battling to get on the field this week.
“The scoreboard wasn’t indicative of how close this game was. You have to give Tri-Valley credit for making the plays,” Coach Lincicome said. “I’m proud of all three of them for wanting to get out there and help our team.”
Philo got on the board first when Lincicome hit Jacob Savage for a 19-yard TD in the first quarter, but Spiker found Lucca Gargasz for a 61-yard scoring strike and Wade added a 4-yard scoring run to put Tri-Valley up 15-6 after one.
Slade Sprankle’s 1-yard scoring dive in the final minute of the second quarter closed the gap at the half.
Spiker finished 7-of-12 for 148 yards and Baker had three catches for 41 yards for Tri-Valley, while Sprankle ran for 97 yards on 25 carries, Lincicome completed 13-of-21 for 179 yards and Mahon caught six passes for 105 yards to lead Philo.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Tri-Valley football puts up 22 unanswered points in fourth quarter to surge past Philo
Reporting by Brandon Hannahs / Zanesville Times Recorder
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
