Big plays and a suffocating defense made life tough for South Greene on Warrior Hill on Friday night.
Senior Dylan Street scored on 47-yard run and a 53-yard punt return while junior Brayden Sams found the end zone on a 49-yard pass reception and Jacob Surcey returned an interception 34 yards for a score.
When the final whistle blew Happy Valley (9-1 overall, 6-1 conference) had gained a 69-6 victory over the Rebels to clinch the Region 1-2A conference title. Seniors Austin Hicks, Dustun Sams, and Dylan Townsend each scored first half touchdowns as the Warriors built a 55-0 halftime advantage and coasted through a continuous running clock in the second half.
“We wanted to start quickly and get on them early,” said Warriors head coach Jason Jarrett. “I hope this carries us into next week. I don’t know who we are playing, but whenever you face a team from Region 2, it’s going to be a battle.”
Brayden Sams touchdown reception capped a five-play, 61-yard opening drive for HV as senior quarterback Sage Haun was three-for-three passing on the drive. Street then scored after a South Greene punt on his 47-yard scamper for a 14-0 HV lead.
Street scored again on a four-yard run to cap a 47-yard drive for a 20-0lead when the point after try was missed. Street struck again on a 53-yard punt return, and Hicks punched in the deuce for a 28-0 first quarter lead for HV.
Hicks scored on a two-yard plunge to open the second-period scoring, and Townsend got into the action with a one-yard run to make it a 42-0 contest. Later in the third period, Dustun Sams capped a four-play drive with a one-yard scoring run that made it 48-0 with still 3:27 remaining in the period.
“This is a big accomplishment,” Sams said. “It’s a testament to the hard work we have put in for four years. My first two years we were battling with the big schools and that helped us a lot. It helped us grow as a team and battle back and not give up. It was good to see a lot of guys get to score, especially the ones that don’t get to play a lot.”
On South Greene’s next possession quarterback Levi Myers pass tipped off the hands of his targeted receiver and into the waiting hands of Jacob Surcey who returned the pilfered pigskin 34 yards to make it a 55-0 contest.
“We scored in all three phases of the game,” Jarrett said. “When we play our best football that’s what we have been able to do all year. We scored pretty consistently on offense, but when you add the defensive side of the ball and special teams, it’s big.”
HV’s last drive stalled at the SG four yard line, and when the Rebels took possession they were sacked for a safety, and junior Nick Conley returned the free kick 51 yards for a touchdown for a 69-0 game.
South Greene (5-5, 3-4 conference) showed some gumption when they were able to put together two passes that covered 75 yards – with Myers connecting with Hall for the 66-yard touchdown as time ran out.