by The Valley Forge Patriots upset the once undefeated Buckeye Bucks 28-17. The Patriots ironically used Buckeye’s usual tactic by running the ball every chance they got while only throwing it under 10 times. Valley Forge ran for over 270 yards with running back Nick Mankins running for 150 of them. Mankins also scored two touchdowns with fellow running back Ben Farson also adding a score while rushing for 97 yards. Valley Forge Quarterback Dan Kiewel was also an effective thrower, going 6/7 for 84 yards and a touchdown pass. The Patriots also took no chances as 4 of their 5 kickoffs were onside attempts.
The Valley Forge defense also forced Buckeye’s offense to not play their usual brand of football. While the Bucks focused on running the ball, they were put in situations where they were forced to pass. The Bucks were almost dead even on pass and run plays (23 pass plays, 21 run plays). This got them out of their comfort zone, which Valley Forge took advantage of.
1st Quarter
At first, it looked like Buckeye would dominate once again. The Patriots were held to a 3 and out and the Bucks were in good field position. However, a fumble recovered by Valley Forge safety Daniel Scheffler turned the momentum. The Patriots had a nearly 9-minute drive with three 4th down conversions that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Mankins.
2nd Quarter
The Bucks hoped they would set the tone on their next drive, but after a couple of penalties they were forced to punt. Valley Forge immediately built on their lead with a 63-yard touchdown run by Farson. Buckeye would respond however, this time using an efficient passing attack by quarterback Casey Murray. The Bucks would find holes in the Patriots secondary; this would help them get to the goal line where Troy McCann ran for a 4-yard touchdown.
The Patriots were not going to let Buckeye take over like they usually do. Instead, they responded with a 65-yard touchdown run by Mankins on the first play of the drive. After another onside kick attempt by the Patriots, the Bucks were in good field position to score again. With Murray finding holes in the Patriots secondary, the Bucks quickly moved the ball again. The drive ended with Gage Nagy running for a 6-yard touchdown run. But for the first time all season, the Bucks were down at halftime.
3rd Quarter
Down 21-14, the Buck’s knew they needed to get the momentum back. Recovering another onside kick attempt from Valley Forge, the Bucks drove down the field with ease. Going back to their ground and pound style of football, but after a costly penalty in the red zone, they were forced to settle for a field goal. Valley Forge would also come up short on their drives. They drove the ball deep into Bucks territory but fumbled the ball to Bucks linebacker Derek Snyderburn. The Buck’s however did not capitalize and punted.
4th Quarter
In the 4th quarter, each team was looking for one play to change the momentum. Despite being in the lead, the Patriots so far had not scored at all in the second half. Looking to change that, the Patriots looked to the star of their offense, running back Nick Mankins. Mankins would gain chunk play after chunk play to keep the Patriots drive alive. The Bucks did not have an answer for him. After Mankins was taken out, the Bucks got a 4th down stop. The Patriots would try their luck again and go for their fourth 4th down attempt. The Patriots caught the Bucks defense off-guard by throwing to a wide open Farson for the 27-yard touchdown.
The Bucks still had a chance to come back. With plenty of time on the clock, the Bucks would throw the ball with efficiency at first, but pass breakups forced them into more desperate throws. Going deep, the Bucks pass was tipped off by the receiver, a defender, and then into the hands of Patriot Linebacker Sean Frank.
Buckeye would get another chance to score, but they failed to convert. Valley Forge would then run out the clock, giving Buckeye their first loss of the season. The Bucks (7-1) travel back home next week to take on Gilmour Academy who beat Valley Forge earlier this year. The Patriots (3-5) will hope to continue this success as they travel to face in-conference foe Normandy.
Player of the Game
The player of the game was the heart and soul of the Patriots offense. Nick Mankins ran for 150 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns and a reception for 10 yards.
Ben Farson 200+ all purpose yards 2tds
