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The Valley Forge Patriots dominated in the trenches all night as they ran for over 350 yards on the ground. A large part of that came from Shane Warden as he ran for 220 and 3 scores on 20 carries.
The Pirates began the game with the ball but were forced to punt. Valley Forge would take over at their 19-yard line and looked to get to work on the ground. Warden started the drive with a 37-yard run on his first touch of the game. However, the drive would not go as planned as they would turn the ball over.
Aiden Andrako recovered a fumble and gave the Pirates the ball at the 43-yard line. Five plays later Julian Patti would find his tight end Stan Heuler for a 32-yard score. The Pirates led 7-0 with 3:01 to play in the first.
Valley Forge would respond instantly to the Pirates score. The Patriots would march 74 yards in 10 plays to tie the game up. Running back Ben Farson would take the handoff 10 yards for the score. With 10:43 to go in the second quarter the game was tied 7-7.
The ensuing kick off would be a surprise onside kick by the Warriors and they would recover it at the Pirates 44-yard line. Rocky River’s defense would stand tall, getting a stop on fourth down.
The Pirate next possession would end on another special team’s mistake. The Pirates would try a fake punt and not succeed, giving the Patriots the ball at their own 39-yard line. Just two plays later Shane Warden would take it 39 yards giving Valley Forge a 14-7 lead late in the half.
Rocky River would respond with a great drive taking it deep into Patriot territory. Julian Patti would find Stan Heuler again for what looked like a tying touchdown, but he would cough up the ball at the one-yard line. Valley Forge recovered and took over with 36 seconds left.
They would run the ball out from the shadow of their own endzone and go to half leading 14-7.
The Patriots would receive the ball to start the third quarter and extend their lead. A great return by Ben Farson set them up at the 44-yard line. Six plays later Shane Warden would score from one yard out for his second of the game. The Warriors now led 21-7
Rocky River’s next possession would lead to a three and out giving it right back to Valley Forge. A short punt gave them the ball at the Pirates 36-yard line.
Five plays later Shane Warden would run in his third score of the game from 13 yards out. The Patriots now led 27-7 with 4:36 left in the third.
Rocky River would start the next drive with a great run by Nick DiSalvo. The drive would be killed just two plays later as an intentional grounding back the Pirates up 27 yards and lead to another punt.
The Valley Forge drive would not amount to anything as they would turn it over on downs and the Pirates would take over at their own 19-yard line.
Rocky River could not get anything going again as they would go three and out and be forced to punt. An incredible punt by Mack Massad would travel 74 yards giving the Patriots the ball at the 7 yard line with 8:24 remaining in the game.
The Patriots would proceed to drive the ball 93 yards on ten plays to score once again. This time it was Elijah Williams from six yards out. Valley Forge now leads 34-7 with 2:19 to go.
Time would run out and Valley Forge would take this one 34-7 over Rocky River.
Players of the game
Valley Forge- Shane Warden
Rocky River- Johnny Bebie
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
3:01- #7 Julian Patti 32-yard pass to #9 Stan Heuler. Pat Good
2nd Quarter
10:43- #2 Ben Farson 10-yard run. PAT Good
3:38- #1 Shane Warden 38-yard run. PAT Good
3rd Quarter
8:46- #1 Shane Warden 1 yard run. PAT Good
4:36- #1 Shane Warden 13-yard run. PAT no good
4th Quarter
2:19- #25 Elijah Williams 6-yard run. PAT good
