Whether it was Valley Falls’ converted fourth downs or JCN’s bad snaps in shotgun or punt situations, whatever could go wrong for the Chargers on homecoming night did, as Valley Falls got its first win of the season, 44-8.
JCN was the one with a 1-1 record coming into the county rivalry tilt while Valley Falls was 0-2 after two close losses. It became evident in the first quarter, however, that the Dragons were laying that losing streak to rest.
The Dragons took the opening kickoff and drove to the JCN 30 before a holding penalty and a fumbled third-down pitch gave them fourth-and-16 at the JCN 36. An offsides penalty on the Chargers shaved five yards off that down and distance, and Dragons senior Chance Gier broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run on the next play. Gier added a 2-point conversion run to make it 8-0 Valley Falls with 7:51 left in the quarter.
JCN was able to get one first down on its first possession but then the Chargers’ first dose of bad fortune struck as a punt snap sailed over the head of sophomore punter Dalton Minor, who fell on the ball at the 12 to turn it over to Valley Falls. Gier scored from one yard out four plays later and added a 2-point conversion run to make it 16-0 Dragons.
The situation repeated itself on the Chargers’ next possession as Minor picked up a bad punt snap and ran for a yard but Valley Falls took over at the JCN 15. This time, Dragons senior Tyler Wynkoop did the offensive work with a five-yard touchdown run that made it 22-0 Valley Falls.
A fumbled pitch hampered JCN’s next drive and the Chargers got a punt off, but on the ensuing Dragons third-and-long, Valley Falls junior quarterback Alex Lederer connected with Wynkoop on a 40-yard touchdown pass play to make it 28-0 early in the second quarter.
A bad third-down shotgun snap forced another JCN punt and, after Lederer connected with senior Billy Morris on a 55-yard screen pass, Gier scored from two yards out to make it 36-0 with the Wynkoop 2-point run. Gier added another touchdown on an 11-yard run on the Dragons’ next possession with Lederer running for 2 points to make it 44-0 at halftime.
With the margin as it was, a running clock was instituted to start the second half, which made for a quick half of football. The Dragons’ junior varsity couldn’t move the ball on the Chargers and, after a bad punt snap by Valley Falls, JCN had perhaps its best scoring chance, taking over at the Dragons 22. The Chargers had first down at the Dragons 4 but the defense held strong and the Chargers turned the ball over on downs at the 1. The situation wasn’t all bad for JCN, though, as they stopped the Dragons in their own end zone on the next play to get a safety and get on the scoreboard, 44-2.
The Chargers faced third-and-eight after the ensuing safety punt and junior quarterback Jeff Hale found senior Lucas Page deep over the middle for a 48-yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 44-8 early in the fourth quarter. The Chargers got one more chance on offense but the Dragons recovered a fumbled pitch and ran out the clock.
The Dragons outgained the Chargers, 226-112, on the night offensively. Five bad snaps cost the Chargers 63 yards on the night.
Gier led the Dragons with 129 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns and Lederer was 2-for-3 passing for 95 yards and a score. Wynkoop had both a rushing and receiving score in the game.
JCN was led by 17 carries for 42 yards from senior Breck McMillan. Hale was 7-for-16 passing for 104 yards and a score, as Page had 3 catches for 71 yards and a score.
The Dragons improved to 1-2 while JCN fell to 1-2 with the loss.
