by The energy at Byers field was high as the battle of Parma was set to take place. Parma belongs to Valley Forge after their 42-28 victory. The Patriots were committed to the run game and Normandy just couldn’t stop it. Running backs led the way Daymon Watts and Cam Wadsworth combined for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The Invaders started the game with the ball but couldn’t get anything going as Valley Forge forced a quick 3 and out. The Patriots got the ball at their own 24 yard line and went straight to running back Cam Wadsworth. He led them to a 10 play scoring drive where he accounted for 63 yards and an 8 yard touchdown run. That made the score 7-0 late in the first quarter.
Valley Forge forced another 3 and out on the next drive and got right back to the run game. They went down the field with another long double digit play drive and another Cam Wadsworth touchdown. That gave him 79 yards and 2 touchdowns early in the game and gave the Patriots a 14-0 lead.
Normandy, desperate for their offense to take off, continued to struggle while Valley Forges run game continued to thrive. They led a drive down to the Invader 16 yard line where they faced a crucial 3rd down. Quarterback Sean Frank found H back Daymon Watts in the backfield for just his second pass of the game. Watts sliced through the defense and took it for a score making the game 21-0 with 3 minutes left in the half.
Needing a score this drive Normandy made a massive mistake on their first play of the drive. Quarterback Elijah Gray threw a quick incomplete pass, however the pass was backwards and was recovered by the Patriots. The Invaders defense came up big however forcing a turnover on downs and giving the ball back to the offense.
Normandy got right to work moving the ball down field through the air. With some nice plays out of Elijah Gray and some help with defensive penalties, the Invaders found themselves in the endzone on the last play of the half. Elijah Gray found receiver DQ Bradley for 12 yards making the score 21-7 to end a very hard fought half.
The Patriots received the ball to begin the third quarter and got right back to work. The drove down the field once again with only rushing plays. They finished the drive with a 1 yard QB sneak on 4th down from Sean Frank. The drive took almost 8 minutes and put the Patriots up 28-7 midway through the third.
The struggles continued for Normandy as they started to drive the ball but hit a roadblock and turned the ball over on downs. Valley Forge went back to running the ball down Normandy’s throat. This drive was a bit different however because it was a pretty quick one. Daymon Watts took a handoff from the 47 yard line to outside and didn’t look back. After breaking a few tackles he was home free for a touchdown.
Normandy responded very quickly. After a few plays they found themselves on the 35 yard line and quarterback Elijah Gray scrambled all the way to the endzone. This quick back and forth made the game 35-14 to close out the 4th quarter.
After forcing the first Patriot punt of the game Normandy had to score quick to have a chance to get back into this one. They drive down the field and Elijah Gray found himself back into the endzone. Needing the ball back they went for an onside kick but it was recovered by Valley Forge, putting the game out of reach.
The rest on the game consisted of Valley Forge running the clock out and Normandy Trying to do the impossible and get back into the game. Valley Forge scored one more time and Normandy did as well, on a 49 yard hook and latter call, ending the game at 42-28.
The Patriots finish their season on high taking the Parma crown and ending with a 4-6 record. Normandy finished on a down note, losing to their rival and ending with a 3-7 record.
Players of the game:
Valley Forge Senior Running Back Cam Wadsworth – 24 carries for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns
Valley Forge Junior Running Back Daymon Watts – 19 carries for 174 yards and touchdown, 1 catch for 16 yards and a touchdown
Cam Wadsworth