Central Valley running game too much for South Park

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 19, 2018 | 11:30 PM

Since the school’s inception in 2010, the Central Valley Warriors have missed the playoffs just once — 2017.

Heading into a Week 8 matchup against South Park (2-6, 2-4), the Warriors knew what was on the line this season — win the game and get back to the playoffs.

Central Valley stuck to its ground-and-pound formula and wore down South Park, 31-7, Friday night.

Central Valley (4-5, 4-2) struck early with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter by Jesse Schively to make it 7-0. The Warriors expanded that lead to 17-0 by late second quarter. Quarterback Ameer Dudley scored from 1-yard out and kicker Ethan Ott added a 27-yard field goal.

South Park scored its lone points after the Central Valley field goal when Brandon Goldbach caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stephen Kmonk to make it 17-7.

Central Valley added the last 14 points of the game on touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

Noah Thompson ran in from 1-yard out, and Schively scored his second from 11 yards.

The Warriors minimalized the Eagles’ offense, outgaining them 315-167. Not only was yardage a notion of the lopsided victory, the Warriors ran 68 plays to South Park’s 31, gained 21 first downs to the Eagles five and held the ball for 33:08 compared to South Park’s 14:12.

Central Valley also forced three turnovers defensively, two of which led to scores.

Dudley paced the Warriors offense, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and throwing for 68 yards on 6 of 13 passing.

With all four playoff spots clinched in Class 3A’s Tri-County West Conference, the Week 9 matchups for both these teams play a factor in playoff positioning. Central Valley heads to Aliquippa to face the Quips, while South Park faces Quaker Valley on the road.

A win by both Central Valley and South Park next week can open the door for the possibility of the Warriors finishing third in the conference. Should both teams lose, the Warriors will take the fourth spot in the conference.

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Central Valley, South Park