Despite a tough loss to the South Bay Rams last weekend, Pleasant Valley High School football has been making progress. They have scored 39 unanswered points since the second half of last week’s Almond Bowl.
Despite their recent malady, the boys in blue have been in the black for the past two weeks, albeit for less than optimal conditions. They will be back in action in a few short weeks time. If they can pull off the trickiest of wins, they will be in the winner’s circle for at least a few games. They might have to play the big boys to get there, but they will likely be on the field for the remainder of the season. This is a big game for the squad, but it isn’t as bad as the last time around.
Despite a 27-point second quarter deficit, Pleasant Valley High scored 14 unanswered points in the second half of the Almond Bowl against Chico High to take a 21-14 lead. Pleasant Valley’s defense also held Chico in check in the second quarter, as the Panthers turned the ball over on two of their first three plays of the period. PV had a chance to score on a fourth-and-goal play from the Chico four-yard line, but Mycal Swaim was unable to complete the pass.
Pleasant Valley got the ball with under two minutes left in the third quarter. Quarterback Patrick Randolph hit Mycal Swaim on a 23-yard touchdown pass. PV then drove the ball 67 yards on a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive, capped by Quinntyn Thomas-Brass’ 1-yard fullback rush. PV held off a late run by Chico’s Jaden Neugeubaur to preserve the 14-7 lead.
Pleasant Valley re-gained the momentum in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to sustain the comeback. PV held the ball for the first three-and-a-half minutes of the quarter, but turned the ball over on downs in Chico territory. PV’s Anthony Seiler fumbled the kick-off. PV regained possession at the Panthers’ 27-yard line and converted a four-point play.
Pleasant Valley had a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert a fourth-and-goal play. The Panthers set up in the PV offense’s end zone, but Jaden Neugeubaur jumped in front of a deep pass across the middle. PV’s goal line defense had to make multiple saves, but Abdo made multiple saves. PV’s defense held on to preserve the 14-7 lead.
Pleasant Grove held a slim fourth-quarter lead and scored its first touchdown in a quarter since the end of the first half. The Lady JagDogs also scored a late goal, with Payton Walters scoring near midfield. Despite a tight defense, Riverton was unable to score.
The Pleasant Valley and Chico football teams are tied in all-time series at 23-23-1. They’ve both won two Almond Bowls, and each has an unbeaten record in the crosstown rivalry. PV has won the last two. They are the top-two teams in the SBLive Northern Section rankings. They are also the top teams in the Division-2 Eastern Athletic League.
Pleasant Grove also took control of the game in the second half, allowing just two points in the third and fourth quarters. The Bulldogs also had a strong performance in the defensive end position. Several defenders were juked, but Pleasant Valley held the line and forced a fumble on the Panthers’ first play of the second half. The Panthers recovered at PV’s 25-yard line. PV then turned the ball over on downs, but Andrew Medearis recovered it 42 yards for a touchdown.
Chico took the ball in the first 10 minutes of play, but Pleasant Valley’s offense scored on its first possession. Pleasant Valley’s offense scored 35 points in each of its two wins.
Among the four teams that comprise the Northern Section, the foothill aces have the best record in the league. In the past four years, Foothill has been a dynasty, winning five Northern Section titles and posting an 8-0 record. In the same time span, Foothill has lost its only four games, including two by one point. Its biggest challenge this season came in the form of the Central Valley Kings, who went into the season with a 0-1 record.
The foothill aces are not exactly a lock for a state championship, but they have one heck of a chance to go to the finals. The aces have a lot to be proud of, including a 9-3 record, a record-breaking winning streak, and a conference title. This season, the aces are slated to compete in Division 2, the Eastern Athletic League. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the aces are a reload for a new coach, and the program has a solid core of talented players. The aces are also one of the most competitive programs in their conference, with a whopping 36-30 rebounding advantage. The aces also boast a slew of talented players, including quarterback Eric Ferguson and wide receiver Eric Grasso. Grasso, in particular, is one of the most dynamic players in the conference, and was rewarded with the aces’ most valuable player award.
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