Nijhay Burt carries Steel Valley to easy win

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News

Andrew Schaffer | October 2, 2021

It was a battle of unbeaten teams Friday Night and Steel Valley dominated in their 40-0 victory over Ligonier Valley. The rout was led by Nijhay Burt’s 5 touchdown performance. “He’s a super athlete, a super kid, works hard, he has some moves and great speed” said Coach Braszo.

Ligonier Valley’s first drive was looking promising after a couple of big runs and they were inside Steel Valley’s 30 yard line. After that the drive stalled and Ligonier Valley turned the ball over on downs.

Steel Valley started their first drive at their own 30 yard line. It was a drive that was 11 plays and it was finished off on a 4 yard run by Cruce Brookins.

Ligonier Valley’s second drive didn’t go well and ended with a pass being intercepted. “We set the tone in the beginning” said Coach Braszo.

The score at the end of the first quarter was 6-0 Steel Valley but they had the ball and were knocking on the door. About a minute into the second quarter. Nijhay Burt scored for the first time in the game on a 1 yard run which made the score 13-0.

The second quarter is where Steel Valley did most of their scoring and Ligonier Valley struggled to get anything going on offense except for one drive that got into Steel Valley territory. But penalties stalled that drive and they turned the ball over on downs for the second time in the game.

On the following drive Steel Valley started at their own 40 yard line and they marched right down the field. It was finished off on a second 1 yard run by Nijhay Burt and that made the score 20-0 Steel Valley with 1:09 left in the first half.

The first half scoring was not done yet because on the first play of the ensuing Ligonier Valley drive a pass was intercepted by Nijhay Burt. On the second play he took it 45 yards to the house making it 27-0 Steel Valley. “He’s just as good on defense as he is on offense, plays both sides of the ball” said Coach Braszo.

Steel Valley got the ball to start the second half and they wasted very little time extending their lead because on the very first play Nijhay Burt took it to the house on a 65 yard run. “We just came to play” said Burt.

Throughout the second half Ligonier Valley had their opportunities to score but they just couldn’t find the end zone. “You get a shutout you know we played well” said Coach Braszo.

Steel Valley added one last score before the game ended and it was an 8 yard run by Nijhay Burt which was his fifth touchdown of the game. In total Burt had 278 yards rushing on 27 carries. The performance put him over 1,000 yards rushing so far this season. “I’m just glad he’s on our side, he’s one of the better backs in the state for sure” said Coach Braszo.

Steel Valley now improves to 5-0 on the season. “We just gotta keep going, we have a tough conference, it’s one conference win that’s important, win one at a time and see what happens” said Coach Braszo.

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