Riverview makes late stop on 2-point attempt to hold off Valley
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Friday, August 30, 2024 | 10:51 PM
Riverview’s Max Kratt pulls in a catch for a touchdown as Valley’s Derek Hassim defends during the first half Friday.
Valley quarterback Antonio Perkins scrambles for yardage during the first half against Riverview on Friday.
Riverview’s Rio Stotts catches a pass in the first half against Valley on Friday.
Valley’s Anjay Chambers breaks the tackle of Riverview’s Caleb Maywood during the first half Friday.
Valley’s Mayan Ferron breaks a tackle against Riverview during the first half Friday.
Riverview’s Landon Johnson is wrapped up by Valley’s Payton Eason during the first half Friday at Valley.
After rallying from down two scores entering the fourth quarter, Valley found itself just a 2-point conversion away from forcing overtime and completing the comeback.
However, the Riverview defense stood strong and got their fingertips on a Mason Simmons pass to escape Memorial Stadium in New Kensington with a 38-36 win in nonconference play Friday night.
“Kudos to the kids. We are a Class A team. We’ve gone through our bumps and bruises through the past five years. We are trying to grow this program. I think we are at the point where our kids know what we’re trying to accomplish. We made some fluke plays here and there where our defense let up some points, but kudos to Valley,” Riverview coach Trevor George said.
The Vikings (0-2) found themselves on the doorstep after Simmons found Zayaan Ferron for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds remaining in regulation. This was the second time Simmons and Ferron connected in the quarter.
Ferron finished with six receptions for 139 yards receiving, while Simmons came in relief and went 4 for 6 for 143 yards and those two touchdowns.
“The secondary gave up too much. That has to change. Linebackers not coming downhill and doing what they’re supposed to do. You can play offense all day long, but in order to win championships, you need to play defense. They were able to control the clock in the second half, but still under those conditions we were able to mount a comeback,” Valley coach Mark Adams said.
Before the second score by Ferron, Riverview (1-0) tried to punch it in but Valley’s defense forced the Raiders to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Drew Hunter to make it 38-30 with less than a minute to go.
Riverview sophomore quarterback Connor Kmetz showed off his ability to fit it in tight windows as he had a perfect first half, going 9 of 9 for 125 yards passing and three touchdowns to give the Raiders a 21-12 lead at halftime. Kmetz didn’t play in the second half due to injury suffered on his third touchdown pass but should be available play next week.
“He led the offense with confidence as a sophomore. He sat behind our senior last year. He took the show by storm and made plays. He made some great plays and some savvy veteran plays,” George said.
Kmetz worked the pocket as he slid to the left and found an open Rio Stotts, who ran it in for a 19-yard touchdown pass to open the game’s scoring in the first quarter.
The Vikings quickly responded with their own touchdown when junior Nicholas Heakins ran away from the Riverview defenders for a 56-yard touchdown run to make it 7-6 with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter.
On Riverview’s following drive. Kmetz dropped a 25-yard touchdown pass over the Valley defender and found junior receiver Max Kratt for the touchdown to make it 14-6 in the second quarter.
Valley forced a Raider fumble and made Riverview pay for the mistake. With the short field, freshman quarterback Antonio Perkins found senior receiver Payton Eason for a 24-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-12 with just under five minutes remaining in the first half.
Kmetz threw his third touchdown pass of the first half in the final seconds when he rolled out to the right and found sophomore Lukas Duncan for a 11-yard touchdown pass.
Riverview finished with 223 yards passing, and Valley had 217 yards passing.
Heakins finished with nine carries for 140 yards and those two touchdowns. Heakins also had a 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter for the Vikings.
The Vikings opened the season with a 52-20 loss to Southmoreland in Week Zero.
Riverview senior tight end Alex Schultheis finished with five receptions for 121 yards and scored on a 73-yard touchdown reception from Stotts, who replaced Kmetz in the second half.
Valley will look for their first win when they travel to Greensburg Salem next week, while Riverview will face Cornell.
“We have to get better what we do. We are a young football team. We are battling through some things. We got to learn each week, each play, each down to keep growing up. You do the wrong thing, then don’t do the same again just keep on growing,” Adams said.
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