The Bengal defense makes a tough goal-line stand.
BHS quarterback Kylin Binn tosses the quick out.
Friday night Blythewood (6-1, 1-0) defeated Spring Valley (5-2, 0-1) at home 42-27 to take an early lead in the region IV-4A standings. Despite the Bengals never trailing in the contest, it was a game full of twist and turns and ups and downs. Spring Valleyhead coach Miles Aldridge didn’t expect anything less.
“Blythewood is a very good football team,” Aldridge said. “They have a winning attitude right now.”
The first quarter went by without a hitch as neither team was able to take control. In fact, it was relatively pedestrian with the two teams combining for just 49 yards. Going into the game, a defensive standoff was expected with (statistically) the two best defenses colliding. Blythewood had allowed 14 points per game andSpring Valleyhad given up an average of 16 per game. After a scoreless first quarter, the roller coaster would take off in the second.
After the Bengals defense recovered a fumble in Spring Valley territory, Dean Beckford cashed in on a 29-yard burst up the middle. It would be Beckford’s 10th touchdown of the season and after the point after, Blythewood led 7-0.
Halfway through the second quarter special teams play would become crucial.
“The kicking game will be very important,” Aldridge said. “We have got to be able to block up front because they (Blythewood) like to send the house after the punter.”
In this situation, the Vikings did not give their punter enough time because it would be Blythewood’s Javon Smith scooping up the blocked punt and running it in from 18 yards out.
On the ensuing possession, Spring Valley would drive the ball down the field 72 yards on 10 plays. But on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, the Bengal’s defense stood strong and stuffed Viking’s running back John Miller at the line. Blythewood head coach Reggie Kennedy believes his team takes a lot of pride in a goal line stand.
“We do goal line defense every day,” Kennedy said. “Our kids love it and it really pays off for us on Friday nights.”
But with just 27 seconds left in the first half, Spring Valley would return the favor of a blocked punt as Viking’s linebacker Christian Miller would recover it in the end zone to make it 14-7 at the half.
Blythewood came out motivated in the second half as their defense forced a three-and-out, which led to the offense scoring on the ensuing possession. Wide receiver Lynard Jamison was able to reach the edge on an end-around and jet his way to a season-high, 53-yard touchdown.
Through three quarters of play Blythewood led 21-7. But in the final quarter, fireworks exploded as big plays came in bunches. In a span of six minutes the two teams would combine for four touchdowns of 62-plus yards.
It started with a rare Beckford fumble, which led to a 67-yard shuffle down the right sideline by Spring Valley’s Malik Wilson, capping a four play, 83-yard drive.
After a blocked extra point, the Vikings trailed 21-13. On the ensuing kickoff, Shyeim Brown showed off his return skills by zig zagging his way to a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Blythewood’s tailback Ben Ruiz got in on the action with a season-high 62-yard touch down to cap a four-play 77-yard drive. Spring Valley refused to go down without a fight. Trailing 35-13, running back Desmond Poole bolted up the right sideline for a 69-yard touchdown run. After a successful 2-point conversion, Blythewood was holding on to a 35-21 lead.
But with time running out and Spring Valley in danger of dropping their second consecutive game, Blythewood’s offense put together a methodical drive going 80 yards on nine plays and taking three minutes off the clock. On fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, quarterback Kylen Binn powered his way into the end zone and put the final nail in the coffin as the Bengals extended their lead to 42-21 with just 1:55 to play.
Spring Valley had one more trick up their sleeve when they scored on a hook and ladder. The quick pass went to Andrew Earle who then flipped it to Miller who was running full speed ahead and took it in to score from 57 yards out. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful and the Bengals remain undefeated against Spring Valley all time with a 5-0 record.
The two teams combined for 41 points in the fourth quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a war tonight,” Kennedy said. “Thankfully we came out on the winning side.”
Next week is Homecoming for Blythewood as they will host Richland Northeast (5-2, 1-0). You can listen to the game at www.facebook.com/bhathletics.
BHS- 0-14-7-21 42
SV- 0-7-0-20 27
Second Quarter
BHS- D. Beckford 29 rush. G. Huegel kick. (11:00)
BHS- J. Smith 18 blk punt return. G. Huegel kick. (6:06)
SV- C. Miller 0 blk punt return. C.Greshamkick. (:27)
Third Quarter
BHS- L. Jamison 53 run. G. Huegel kick. (9:52)
Fourth Quarter
SV- M. Wilson 67 run. C. Kick failed. (11:06)
BHS- S. Brown 95 kickoff return. G. Huegel kick. (10:49)
BHS- B. Ruiz 62 run. G. Huegel kick. (5:47)
SV- D. Poole 69 run. D. Taylor 2 pass from C. Adams. (4:52)
BHS- K. Binn 3 run. G. Huegel kick. (1:55)
SV- J. Miller 57 pass from C. Adams. PAT failed. (1:37)
Records: BHS: 6-1/1-0 SV: 5-2/0-1
Team Stats
BHS SV
First Downs 9 15
Rushes/Yards 34-248 51-293
Comp/Att/Int 6-15-2 5-12-0
Pass Yards 51 120
Fumbles/Lost 1-1 4-2
Penalties/Yards 9-79 6-47
Individual Stats
RUSHING—BHS: B. Ruiz 4-93. L. Jamison 2-54. K. Binn 10-46. D. Beckford 9-36. SV: D.Poole11-157. M. Wilson 4-68. J. Miller 19-43. C. Adams 9-22.
PASSING—BHS: K. Binn 5-14. 44 yards. 2 INT. 0 TD. T. Palmer 1-1. 7 yards. 0 INT. 0 TD. SV: C. Adams 5-10. 120 yards. 0 INT. 1 TD.
RECEIVING—BHS: L. Jamison 2-16. D. Albert 1-24. D. Beckford 1-7. S. Brown 1-2. SV: D.Taylor3-38. J. Miller 1-77. A. Earle 1-5.
