Central Valley looks battle-tested in high-scoring win over Beaver in conference opener

By: Friday, September 20, 2024 | 11:59 PM

After a 1-3 start that featured three losses to Class 4A schools, the Central Valley Warriors were battle tested and ready for the Class 3A competition that was ahead.

The Warriors showed as much in a wild 51-37 victory against Beaver in their Class 3A Western Hills Conference opener Friday night from Sarge Albert Stadium at Central Valley.

Not only were there 88 total points scored, but the game featured a battle of running games that had four rushers top 100 yards. Beaver (3-2, 1-1) running back Amari Jackson led the way with 15 carries for 233 yards and three touchdowns along with Qualan Cain with six carries for 115 yards and a touchdown adding to the Bobcats' total of 366 yards rushing.

The No. 3-ranked Warriors (2-3, 2-0) were led by running back Mason Dixon, who finished with 14 carries for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Jance Henry added 19 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns, giving Central Valley a total of 384 yards rushing.

"It was one of those back-and-forth games and came down to who was going to throw the last punch," Central Valley coach Mark Lyons said. "A hard fought game. I am proud of our guys as they just kept pounding away."

The Central Valley defense made a statement early. Bobcats quarterback Travis Clear fumbled on the opening drive as Central Valley struck first on a 30-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by defensive lineman Tyler Ondrusek.

The Warriors took a two-score lead on a 13-yard run by Henry with 3:06 left in the first quarter. The Warriors added another touchdown on a 6-yard run by senior quarterback Steven Rutherford with 7:28 left in the second quarter and led 21-0.

The Bobcats finally responded on the next drive with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Cain to pull within 21-7 with 6:12 left in the second quarter.

Central Valley kept pounding the ball on the ground as Dixon scored on a 6-yard run to make it 27-7. Beaver responded again with Jackson on a big 56-yard touchdown run, cutting the Warrior lead to 27-14 with 2:49 to play in the second quarter.

Domenic Pratt hit a 37-yard field goal for Central Valley to give the Warriors a 30-14 lead at halftime.

"I thought we could get some things done with our running game here tonight based on the film we saw this week and we did," Lyons said.

Central Valley scored on its opening third-quarter drive, capped off by Henry's second touchdown to extend the lead to 37-14. Beaver, in response, also scored on its first offensive possession of the second half on a Jackson 1-yard touchdown run to make it 37-21 with 5:05 left in the third quarter.

Central Valley looked to Dixon again in the fourth quarter, and he scored on a 66-yard touchdown run and another 40-yard run with 7:05 left in the game to give the Warriors a 51-29 lead.

Beaver also got fourth-quarter scores from Jackson on a 55-yard run and Cain on an 80-yard run, pulling Beaver within 14 points with 6:51 left. The Bobcats could not get any closer with the Warriors pulling away late.

"We still got some work to do, but it's a conference win and a huge win for us," Lyons said.