The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
CoachComm Cobalt Plus
Turf Tank
 

Mars survives a late comeback to Beat Central Valley 24-14

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| November 11, 2023

This game had a slow start, with only 10 total points scored in the first half. The initial scoring came from Junior kicker Mason Childress, who kicked a 37-yard field goal, giving Mars a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw only one score, a great catch by Cole Yoshioka, extending the fighting planets’ lead to 10-0 at halftime. The third quarter brought a surge of excitement as the fighting planets, led by Evan Wright, scored another touchdown, bringing the score to 17-0. Central Valley finally made it onto the scoreboard with 4:04 left in the third quarter Marcus Lawson caught a screen pass and ran it in, resulting in a score of 17-6 after a blocked extra-point attempt. Central Valley got the ball back and seized momentum, quickly advancing down the field in the third quarter to score a touchdown and complete a two-point conversion, narrowing the gap to 17-14 by the end of the quarter. Mars sealed the victory halfway through the fourth quarter when Evan Wright scored the decisive touchdown, securing a 24-14 win for Mars.

The opening moments of the game saw Central Valley taking possession of the ball. However, the Warriors managed only one first down before punting the ball away to Mars. Mars then orchestrated a drive that led them to the Central Valley 27-yard line. Junior kicker Mason Childress stepped up and successfully kicked a 37-yard field goal, putting Mars ahead 3-0 with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter. This field goal turned out to be the sole scoring play of the quarter, as both teams subsequently exchanged punts. As the clock ticked down, Mars regained possession and advanced into the second quarter, maintaining a 3-0 lead.

The second quarter unfolded much like the first, with both teams’ defenses making crucial stops and keeping the offenses in check. The game remained scoreless until a pivotal moment with just 29 seconds left in the quarter. Mars managed to break through as a senior receiver Cole Yoshioka executed a spectacular toe drag on a simple fade route, securing a significant touchdown. This remarkable play elevated the score to 10-0 after the first half.

The dynamics of the third quarter took a complete turn compared to the first, witnessing a total of 21 points scored. Mars struck first, with Evan Wright’s two-yard run at the 10:16 mark extending their lead to 17-0. Central Valley responded at 6:26, as Marcus Lawson caught a screen pass, sprinting 16 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the point-after attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 17-6. Despite the setback, Central Valley’s defense stepped up, creating opportunities for another score. The Warriors capitalized, with Josiah Boykin’s touchdown run with just 1:00 left in the third, narrowing the gap to 17-14. As the quarter concluded, Mars regained possession, setting the stage for the decisive fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, there was only one scoring play, but it proved to be the decisive one. Evan Wright sealed the game for Mars with a 25-yard touchdown run, marking his second of the game and extending the lead to 24-14 with 7:47 remaining. Despite the odds, Central Valley demonstrated resilience, launching two consecutive drives down the field. However, each drive was thwarted by crucial fourth-down stops from the Mars defense. The game concluded with a final score of 24-14 in favor of Mars.

Mars will advance to the semifinal round, where they are set to face the Aliquippa Quips at a venue yet to be determined.

On the other hand, Central Valley concludes a commendable season with a sense of disappointment. They finish the year with an overall record of 8-4, having performed admirably with a conference play record of 5-2.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
QwikCut
 
GoRout
 
Rainbow Lettering
 
x