Spring Valley rushes past Lower Richland

Lower Richland took to the air but Spring Valley held its ground at Harry Parone Stadium on Friday night in both teams’ season opener.

Quarterback Tevaughn Harris completed of 22 of 39 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns, but the Vikings’ rushing attack proved too overpowering up the middle in a 35-14 victory.

Spring Valley rolled up 312 yards on 39 attempts. Breakout plays boosted the Vikings, including Ryan Lee’s 44-yard touchdown run, a 59-yard Ty’Juan Fulton scamper, and a Cameron Jones to R.J. Bacon catch-and-run score of 58 yards.

While Lower Richland dominated possession in the first half, Spring Valley took a 21-14 lead into the locker room. The Vikings held possession for most of the third quarter and scored twice more to close out a win.

TURNING POINT

Holding a 14-6 lead midway through the second quarter, Spring Valley set up at their 42 following Lower Richland’s first score. Working out of a Wing-T set, Vikings quarterback Ryan Lee handed off to halfback Cameron Jones, who lofted a high pass to R.J. Bacon. Bacon caught it around the Diamond Hornets’ 20-yard line and pushed his way to the end zone to complete a 1-play, 58-yard scoring drive.

KEY PERFORMERS

Tevaughn Harris: Lower Richland’s senior quarterback completed 22 of 39 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed 6 times for 48 yards and ran in for a 2-point conversion.

Larry Collins: The senior wide receiver caught seven passes for 106 yards and two TDs in the first half for Lower Richland.

R.J. Bacon: The Spring Valley placekicker and punter, who also is listed on the roster as a wide receiver, was 3-for-3 in extra points. He also caught a 58-yard touchdown pass.

OBSERVATIONS

Vikings Rush: Spring Valley rushers rolled up 202 yards on 16 attempts in the first half. Fullback Kadarius Bunch helped melt the clock with eight rushes and 39 yards in the third quarter. Bunch finished with 65 yards on 13 carries.

Diamond Hornets connection: It took about a quarter to get settled, but quarterback Tevaughn Higgins and wide receiver Larry Collins found each other consistently enough to keep the Vikings worried. Collins caught 11 Higgins passes for 196 yards and two scores.

Bacons sizzle: Besides coach Robin Bacon getting his first head coaching win since coaching A.C. Flora several years ago, his son R.J. Bacon went 3-for-3 in extra points and finished a 58-yard catch-and-run scoring play.

Dying drives: Lower Richland saw some success in the passing game and drove the length of the field several times. The Diamond Hornets saw three drives die deep in Spring Valley territory, one to a fumble and two going over on downs.

THEY SAID IT

“They spread the ball all over the place. We knew we were going to get worn down, but we had to grind, we had to grind, grind grind. It was a team win. All of our guys contributed, and our defense really bowed it back in the second half.” – Spring Valley coach Robin Bacon

“If he’s the number nine player in the state, I want to see one through eight.” – Bacon, on Lower Richland receiver Larry Collins

“We were our own worst enemy. We had our opportunities. We turned the ball over three times inside their 20. Those are things we’ve got to fix.” – Lower Richland head coach Darryl Pag

THREE KEY NUMBERS

54: Number of Lower Richland’s offensive plays in the first half.

19: Number of Spring Valley’s offensive plays in the first half.

7: Number of carries Vikings running back Ty’Juan Fulton needed to be the leading rusher with 91 yards.

HOW THEY SCORED