Another backyard scrap on tap
They may play in different divisions these days — instead of the Twin Valley Conference and/or Tri-Valley League — but that doesn’t mean Tri-Valley (2-0) and Pine Grove (0-2) plan to take it easy on one another.
Jeff Sampson’s Bulldogs authored a 21-0 shutout last weekend at Mahanoy Area, using strong play up front from defensive linemen Cam Carlin and Jake Scheib to limit the host Golden Bears to 12 rushing yards and 98 overall. Although Mahanoy Area put up a good scrap defensively, Tri-Valley received an effective effort from senior quarterback Jonas McGrath. He completed nine of his 16 passes — one attempt was picked off — for 121 yards.
Both of his touchdown passes were hauled in by sophomore wideout Layne Yoder, who scored on receptions of 3 and 53 yards while totaling seven catches for 92 yards. Pine Grove, meanwhile, dropped a 26-14 decision to Williams Valley at home, struggling offensively until freshman Carson Lengle checked in at quarterback. Lengle completed five of his 12 passes for 180 yards, with one of his completions locating Aaron Crumrine and covering 68 yards.
Williams Valley looking to stay perfect
Flashing a dominant running game throughout, Williams Valley (2-0) turned back neighboring Pine Grove 26-14 behind sophomore back Alex Achenbach. Achenbach rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, propelling Tim Savage’s squad in front with four minutes to play in the first quarter with a 59-yard score.
Nic Joseph and Jackson Yoder also booked rushing touchdowns for Williams Valley, which relied on its big people up front — Yoder, Ezi Hite, Owen Shoop, Brayden Shadle and Cruz Banda — to generate running lanes against the Cardinals’ front. Getting the ground game flowing against Haven may be difficult, especially since the Hurricanes (1-1) didn’t give an inch against Executive Education. Haven’s Aiden Myers rushed for 136 yards on 21 carries, while quarterback Travis Richie was 8-for-17 for 49 yards. Richie was picked off three times.
