NO GAIN: Norsemen squash Falcons

By ECS Staff
Updated: August 27, 2016

2016 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

VALHALLA 30, SCRIPPS RANCH 0

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO (8-27-16) — Unusual for August in San Diego, the weather wasn’t hot Friday evening (Aug. 26) when the Valhalla Norsemen traveled to Scripps Ranch, but the football played by the East County lads heated up the stadium, burning the hosts, 30-0.

The Norsemen defense smothered the home team’s spread offense, holding the Falcons to negative six yards rushing, and a paltry 119 yards passing. Not to be outdone, Valhalla’s offense rolled up 418 yards, spearheaded by hard-charging senior running back JEROME JOHNSON (23-84 yards, 2 TDs).

Valhalla QB BRYAN MADRIZ looks to escape the pocket Friday night at Scripps Ranch.

Valhalla’s defense set the tone for the game early, when, on Scripps’ second offensive play, senior linebacker BRENT BURNETT jarred the ball loose with a bruising hit, where it was recovered by senior defensive back DJ MADARA.

Later in the first quarter, following a Falcons punt, the visitors’ started at mid-field.

Junior quarterback BRYAN MADRIZ (12-20-0, 161 yards) quickly found senior wide receiver BRANDON FULLER open for a five yard gain. Johnson then burst up the middle for 12 yards, to the Scripps Ranch 33 yard line. Madriz then threw a dart to Johnson, who galloped 17 yards to the Falcons’ 20-yard line. Fuller snagged another pass from Madriz to the 10, and then Johnson made it look easy as he strolled into the end zone for a 10-yard TD run. After senior kicker JACOB PAAPE split the uprights, the Norsemen led 7-0, with 3:17 left in the initial period.

The second quarter also started out badly for the Falcons.

Starting with decent field position at their 36-yard line, the pass-happy home team tried to mix things up with a running play.

Valhalla’s JACE MANNING gets a hit on the Scripps Ranch quarterback Friday night.

Unfortunately, Valhalla junior defensive lineman JOSH McNISH-HEIDER stuffed the ball carrier for a 2-yard loss.

On third down, senior defensive back CONNOR MOSER stepped in front of the receiver at the 50-yard line, snared the errant pass and raced 50 yards untouched to the end zone for a quick touchdown.

A bad snap from center thwarted the extra point attempt, but the Rancho San Diego team extended its lead to 13-0, with just over 10 minutes left until intermission.

Things didn’t go well for the Falcons to start the second half, either.

Senior KHYREE POOLE gathered in the kickoff at the Valhalla 15-yard line and zoomed 46 yards to the Scripps Ranch 39-yard line, setting the table for the Norsemen offense.

A 16-yard pass from Madriz to Paape advanced the ball to the 23-yard line, but the drive stalled at the 19.

Multi-purpose Paape kicked a 36-yard field goal, upping the lead to 16-0, at the 9:53 mark of the third quarter.

Valhalla’s JEROME JOHNSON carries on Friday night at Scripps Ranch.

A few minutes later, thanks to the Norsemen defense, the offense got the ball back, starting this time from its 28-yard line.

On first down, Madriz connected with Madara for a 28-yard pickup to the Scripps 44-yard line.

On third down, Madriz unleashed a 45-yard bomb to Fuller at the Scripps 1-yard line, setting up another TD run for Johnson, this time from 1 yard out.

Another snap miscue foiled the PAT attempt, so Valhalla led 22-0, with 5:10 remaining in the third stanza.

The fourth quarter was more of the same, dominance by Valhalla on both sides of the ball.

Madriz had a nifty 90-yard scamper for a touchdown, senior defensive back BRENNAN COX pulled off an interception, and senior defensive lineman MIGUEL PEREZ tackled the ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, capping the score at 30-0, at the 5:44 mark of the final period.

The Norsemen defense put pressure on the Falcons’ quarterback the entire game, forcing many premature throws. Junior linebacker JACE MANNING had four tackles for loss on the evening. Valhalla’s defensive backs likewise were busy, knocking down 8 passes and picking 2 throws.

Finally, Paape appears fully recovering from his season-ending injury last year; he boomed five kickoffs more than 60 yards and had terrific hang time on most of his punts. With a revised offense, an aggressive defense and a solid kicking game, coach CHARLES BUSSEY and his staff did an excellent job preparing their troops for battle—a nice way to start the season.