Interception return for TD turns tide in Valley’s win over Apollo-Ridge

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 21, 2017 | 12:03 AM

Darius Johnson joked his legs hurt after running 100 yards on an interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter, but the soreness from racing down the middle of the field toward the end zone was well worth changing the momentum for Valley.

With Apollo-Ridge threatening to go up two scores on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter, Johnson stepped in front of a Klay Fitzroy pass and went untouched the other way into the end zone.

Johnson added a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter as Valley went on for a 20-6 victory over Apollo-Ridge in a Class 3A Allegheny Conference game Friday night at Owens Field.

The interception flipped the script for Valley (3-5, 3-3), which had only 32 yards of offense through one-and-a-half quarters. Johnson said he read the play, and his instincts paid off.

“They ran that play multiple times, but they flipped the formation,” Johnson said. “I was supposed to stay with the inside receiver, but whenever the receiver came in motion, I stayed with him. Then I just took it and ran.

“I feel like I changed the game, and that's a big thing for me because I'm a senior and I'm not going to be playing high school football much longer for Valley. I'm trying to do as much as I can before I leave.”

On Valley's next possession, Tyler Green found Noah Hutcherson in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown pass that increased Valley's lead to 14-6 just before halftime. Valley forced three turnovers in the second half. Vikings coach Muzzy Colosimo credited Johnson with getting his team's engines started.

“Darius' (interception) was a biggie because before that, we were struggling to play, let alone score,” Colosimo said. “After (Johnson's interception) I thought our ends played phenomenal along with both middle backers. When they are teeing off, we're making stuff happen. The problem is sometimes we tee off two seconds before the snap.”

With Apollo-Ridge (4-5, 2-5) already without starting quarterback Kyle Fitzroy because of injury, backup Jake Fello got hurt late in the first quarter. Klay Fitzroy, a freshman receiver, was thrust into duty. Fello's injury is another one in a long list for Apollo-Ridge this season.

“It's probably the worst year I've ever had for injuries,” Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba said. “We fight. We battle. But we just don't have enough horses right now. We're about an eyelash away from being a JV team playing a varsity game on a Friday night.”

One rough spot for Valley came in the penalty department. Valley was flagged 15 times for 117 yards, including a couple of personal fouls. Apollo-Ridge had 40 penalty yards on six infractions.

“We can't get out of our own way,” Colosimo said. “I've never been involved in this many ugly games in my career, let alone one year.”

Fitzroy scored on a 1-yard run after being inserted at quarterback early in the second. Apollo-Ridge had an opportunity to cut it to a one-score game when it had first-and-goal at the 5 with a minute and a half remaining, but Valley recorded two sacks, and Deonte Ross recovered a fumble on the second sack to end the threat.

Fitzroy, who had limited time at quarterback in camp, finished with 122 yards passing.

“(Fitzroy) did a good job battling, and we had some other guys who battled, but we're plugging holes and trying to figure what we can do and what we cannot do,” Skiba said. “It's a struggle right now.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Valley