Big plays cost improving Bearcats
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
WILLIAMSPORT — A couple of miscues and one big touchdown put the game out of reach for the Paint Valley Bearcats Friday night, falling to the Westfall Mustangs, 33-18 at Westfall High School.
The loss drops Paint Valley to 0-5, but in the loss there were signs of light at the end of the tunnel, with PV head coach Pete Hollon saying this was the best game his team played all season.
On offense, the Bearcats (0-2, 0-5) tallied 343 total yards with freshman running back Mark Clifford leading the way on the ground with 106 yards on 19 carries.
"This game was by far the best game we played all season," Hollon said. "You have to be pleased anytime you have a young tailback like Mark, who did what he did against a good defense. He is certainly the tailback of our future."
Also in the rushing game, senior Brenan Dove had nine carries for 70 yards and one TD. Senior Nolan Taylor had eight carries for 50 yards.
In the passing game, junior Eli Barker went 8 of 15 for 112 yards and one touchdown. Catching those passes was senior Garett Tyree, who led PV with two catches for 63 yards and one TD. Dove had three catches for 24 yards, and sophomore Riley Markko had two receptions for 16 yards. Markko's catches were both on third down, which led to first downs.
"Eli handled the offense much better," Hollon said. "Plus, having Garett back full time was a big difference. Not just on offense and defense, but on special teams. He kicked two kickoffs for touchbacks."
But the future didn't arrive fast enough for Paint Valley against Westfall with the Mustangs (2-0, 3-2) scoring 27 first half points for a 21-point lead (27-6) at halftime.
Staten caught the first touchdown of the game, a 17-yard pass from Trent Williamson with 7:10 left in the quarter. The missed PAT made the score 6-0.
With two seconds left in the opening quarter, A.J. Gifford had an 81-yard touchdown score from Williamson. The PAT made the score 13-0.
Westfall added to their lead in the second quarter with a 21-yard run by Williamson.
The PAT was good for a 20-point lead.
Down, but not out, the Bearcats rallied for a 51-yard score as senior Garett Tyree gained the touchdown off a pass from Barker.
Just as the Bearcats had an opportunity to be down by 13 before the end of the half, a special teams problem lurked again.
For the third time in four weeks, the Bearcats allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, as Luke Cline returned the ball 98 yards for six Westfall points, leaving 52 seconds on the clock in the first half.
In the first half, with Westfall leading 13-0, the Bearcats had the opportunity to cut into the lead. But after two miscues while in the shotgun formation, on the Westfall 16-yard line, the Mustangs held PV on fourth down.
Again, PV had another opportunity to gain points down 13-0, but fumbled on the Westfall 19-yard line. The turnover by PV gave the Mustangs another chance to score, which turned into the 81-yard touchdown.
"We had a lot of missed opportunities," Hollon said. "We moved the ball on a few possessions but were unable to get points from them. On the opening kickoff we went 16 plays."
PV regrouped at halftime and scored first in the third quarter with a 25-yard run by Dove at the 8:15 mark. PV didn't make the PAT.
The score then turned into a 27-18 deficit when Taylor pounded away for a 10-yard score with 9:15 left in the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats tried an onside kick, but it was recovered by the Mustangs. The field position gave the Mustangs prime opportunity to reach the end zone again, and that is what they did.
With 5:01 remaining in regulation, Dustin Barnes scored on a 41-yard run.
Defensively for the Bearcats, junior Logan Ackley led with eight tackles. Markko finished with seven and senior Wes Hurley had six tackles. Sophomore Quentin Tesi had three tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
"Our defense held Westfall to four consecutive three-and-outs in the second half, so I was pleased with that," Hollon said. "We had chances, but we didn't capitalize on all of them. But, I was thrilled with the effort we got."
Hollon also spoke about Markko.
"For a kid who never played football and five games later he's a two-way starter for us, that is saying something about him," Hollon said. "He played well. The entire team played better, and that is encouraging."
PV, who just finished their third straight road game, will return home this week and host the Adena Warriors. Adena is 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the SVC. On Friday, Adena defeated the Southeastern Panthers, 46-0.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
PV 0 6 6 6 — 18
WF 13 14 0 6 — 33
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