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Valley View survives Berwick in Defensive Affair

Tagged under: District 2, Gameday Hub, News

| November 3, 2023

Playoff Football, nothing beats it. We were treated to a thriller when Valley View welcomed in Berwick for the first round of the PIAA Playoffs.

The Valley View Cougars came into this matchup boasting an impressive 8-2 record and the two seed in the District 2 4A playoffs. They started the season off 7-0, but then 2 losses in the last 3 weeks put a stain on Valley View entering the playoffs. The running attack is their strong suit with both Camryn Higgins and Preston Reed carrying the bulk of the load. Tonight they sneaked away with a win.

Berwick Pennsylvania, a town enthralled in football success has had a down year, to say the least. Berwick enters the playoffs as the 7 seed with a 3-7 regular season record. Like Valley View, Berwick makes their money running the football with mainly Tyler Winter and Ethan Lear. Disregarding the COVID year, Berwick has been to the second round in the last handful of years, that changed tonight. 

Many coaches are worried about how their teams will react to the intensity and emotion of the playoffs. Both teams looked very poised but it was clear Valley View was better prepared in that aspect. 

Valley View got the ball to start the game and did not waste any time to get in the endzone. Just 3 minutes in Camryn Higgins scored.

Many would pick this game to be a blowout in favor of Valley View. The score early made this feel like it was over before it really got started. After allowing 34 to Hazleton last week, the Berwick defense had to step up and hold the charging Cougars, they did just that.

Both teams struggled to get anything going. Late into the second half, Camryn Higgins scored again and Valley View led by a dozen at half, 12-0.

Out of the 2nd half gates, Berwick was on a mission. They got the ball and scored in 5 minutes, Ethan Lear took it in.

The defenses dominated all day and they were bound to decide the game late. Both offenses continued to stall out and late into the 4th quarter, it was still 12-7. The Berwick defense gave their offense an opportunity to go win the game. 

The start of the drive was solid, Jimmy DeAndrea running the rock right through Valley View. Berwick had worked the clock down to the two-minute mark, and Valley View made the game-winning play. Valley View got a game-sealing interception to end the game, 12-7.

Berwick’s season is over, and the questions arise. The biggest uncertainty is the coaching job. With Mike Bennett not being present since week 2 and Bo Orlando being an interim head coach, who will they go with? Starters such as Ethan Lear, Josh Kishbaugh, Harrison Snyder, Liam Carroll, Tyler Winter, and Jimmy DeAndrea leaving due to graduation make this rebuilding period one of the most interesting for Berwick in a while. The main downfall was that they were not special in any particular phase of the game over the course of the year. They ran the ball well throughout the season but they didn’t run it great compared to other teams. The Special Teams and tackling were the worst parts of the team, and they finished 3-8.

Valley View moves on and that’s all that matters, but this game was not pretty. The offense simply could not move the football in this game. With Aaron Crossley and Wyoming Area coming to town next week they need to spruce up a few things. Valley View Head Coach Scot Waslichak said it best, Survive and Advance. Doesn’t matter how they do it, as long as they do it. They will play host to Wyoming Area next Friday Night.

After the game, I spoke with both Valley View Head Coach Scot Waslichak and Runningback Camryn Higgins.

VALLEY VIEW NEXT GAME 

11/10 VS WYOMING AREA 

 

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