David Patten(10) looks to maneuever past the open field tackle. | Ross Burton
COLUMBIA – Blythewood concluded their Region 4-5A schedule in a defensive dual with Spring Valley on Friday night. Defense controlled the tempo of the game, but the Vikings eventually jumped ahead 10-0. The Bengals had a chance to tie the game on their final possession, but the attempts fizzled out and Spring Valley escaped with a 10-3 win.
The Vikings and Bengals now have matching 6-3 records and both own 2-2 records in region play.
Late in the first quarter Blythewood had worked themselves deep in Vikings territory after a 36 yard Brandon Edwards run. Vikings’ safety Anthony Wilson picked off a King Ford pass at the Spring Valley 17-yard line to end the threat.
Spring Valley’s first significant drive drained most of the second quarter. They took over with nearly nine minutes left before halftime and orchestrated a mammoth drive that ate up 8:44 and spanned over 16 plays. The Vikings were forced to settle with 19-yard Alex Herrera field goal.
Nic Rodgers opened the second half with a fumble recovery, but on their ensuing drive the Bengals coughed the ball back up to Spring Valley. The Vikings were not able to capitalize on the turnover either, and the third quarter came and went without a score.
A Blythewood turnover on downs on the Spring Valley 48-yard line gave the Vikings optimal starting field position for their second scoring drive. Junior Spring Valley running back Adrian Ross ripped short run after short run until they were deep in Bengals territory.TJ Wise put the Vikings up by two possessions on a one-yard quarterback sneak.
Ford hooked up with Jacob Owens for a 69-yard shot on the next Blythewood drive, which led to a Miles Heitman 26-yard field goal. Heitman’s field goal cut the lead to 10-3 with five minutes left.
The Blythewood defense forced a three and out on the next Spring Valley drive, and the Bengals regained possession at their own 18 with 3:33 left. King Ford hooked up Jacob Owens for a 17-yard pass on a crucial fourth conversion.
Ford broke off a 14-yard rush on the next play, and later in the drive he found Owens again for 14 more yards. Blythewood chipped their way down to the Spring Valley 10-yard line, but were eventually faced with fourth-and-goal at the 10.
Ford’s pass was knocked down, and the Vikings sat on the ball to end the game. Blythewood concludes the regular season at Dutch Fork on Friday.
Scoring
BHS– 0-0-0-3–3
SVHS– 0-3-0-7-10
Second Quarter
SVHS – Alex Herrera 19 field goal.:08.
Fourth Quarter
SVHS – TJ Wise 1 run (A.Herrera kick).6:44.
BHS – Miles Heitman 26 field goal.4:48.
TEAM STATISTICS BHS SVHS
First Downs 10 13
Rushes/Yards 27-111 52-207
Passing Yards 131 14
C-A-I-TD 9-22-1-0 1-2–0-0
Fumbles/ Lost 1/1 2/1
Penalties/Yards 4-28 7-55
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: SVHS- Adrian Ross 23-140, TJ Wise 18-60, Malik Wesley 1-13, Isaiah Miller 4-4, Hunter Rogers 1-(-3), Anthony Wilson 2-(-6).BHS – Jaylon Boyd 14-47, Brandon Edwards 4-35, King Ford 5-27, David Patten 1-3, Jacob Owens 1-1, Jordan Burrell 2(-2).
Receiving: SVHS- Malik Wesley 1-14.. BHS- Jacob Owens 5-113, Brandon Edwards 3-14, Kevon Catoe 1-4.
Passing: SVHS- TJ Wise 1-2, 14 yards. BHS – King Ford 9-22, 131 yards, one interception.
