A cool autumn breeze blew across southern Indiana last night, a foreshadowing of the changing season. The fields are playing their part too. Once green plants are yellowing, maturing into a bounty for the harvest. Frost is not far behind. Finally, Fall’s favorite son, football, is in full swing, bringing a welcome reprieve from the trying times of the current day.
While the clouds hung low in Death Valley Friday night, the only storm brewing was in the Senator huddle. West Washington ran their record to 3-0 (2-0 PLAC) with a 60-20 victory over the Spring Valley Blackhawks.
“It is great to be playing football,” said Defensive Coordinator Mark Gibson. “This is a special group of kids, and every game is a gift.”
The gift started on the first drive as the Senators received the opening kickoff and ripped off several runs before senior Bobby Stevens rumbled into the endzone from 20 yards out.
It would be the first of 4 touchdowns for the senior running back.
“This was vintage Bobby Stevens,” said special teams coordinator Patrick Burks. “After the injury he had last season it is good to see him bounce back. He is getting stronger and faster every week.”
Springs Valley did not lay down, however, putting together their own scoring drive punctuated with a 30 yard touchdown pass.
West Washington would answer right back with another monster drive capped with a Holden Bowsman 16 yard touchdown pass to senior Parker Green.
After a defensive stand, junior defensive back Hunter Thompson blocked the Blackhawk punt, setting up Stevens 2nd touchdown run.
The following defensive stand started off on the right foot with a big hit by junior H-back Kaden VanCleave on the kick off, but Valley shook that off to throw a 70 yard touchdown pass.
But the Senator offense would not be deterred.
On a key third and long, Bowsman found Stevens for a 40 yard catch and run, before taking matters into his own hands with a 5 yard quarterback keeper to push the Senator advantage back to two scores.
Bowsman would find pay dirt again with a 2 yard scamper before halftime, and the Senator defense held on the final play of the half to take a 34-14 advantage into the break.
Senior defensive tackle Mike Leach ended Valley’s first drive of the second half with a big quarterback sack, but the Senators’ ensuing field goal attempt was blocked, and Valley took possession and advantage with another touchdown strike to cut the lead to two scores.
It would be all Senators the rest of the way. Stevens notched his third score on a powerful 8 yard run, and after freshman wide receiver Kenton Chase took a jet sweep and zig-zagged through the Valley defense for 30 yards, Stevens would score his fourth touchdown from 12 yards out.
Sophomore running back Ethan Roberts would cap the scoring for the Senators, tallying 3 carries for 50 yards, ending with a 10 yard jaunt into the endzone.
The Senators will look to move to 4-0 on the season as they take on the Paoli Rams (1-2, 1-1 PLAC) at Art Sanders field. Kickoff will be at 7 PM.