Preview: Valley Vikings vs. Bennett Tigers
Valley is on a three-game streak of home losses, Bennett a six-game streak of away losses (dating back to last season), but someone's luck is about to change. The Valley Vikings will take on the Bennett Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Valley will be strutting in after a victory while Bennett will be coming in after a defeat.
Last Saturday, Valley got themselves on the board against Prospect Ridge Academy, but Prospect Ridge Academy never followed suit. They blew past the Miners, posting a 41-0 win on the road.
Valley's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Hector Duran torres, who rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on only 15 carries, and Carson Adolf, who threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns. The team also got some help courtesy of Austin Moya, who picked up 95 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Valley's defense stepped up as well, laying out the QB ten times. It was a group effort, with three picking up two apiece.
Meanwhile, after soaring to 40 points the game before, Bennett were a bit more limited in their contest on Friday. They suffered a rough 28-6 defeat at the hands of Platte Valley. Bennett was down 28-0 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from.
Finally capturing their first victory of the season, Valley advanced to 1-6. Bennett has not been sharp this season, as they've lost six of their first seven matchups, which leaves them at a 1-6 record this season.
Thursday's contest might be decided on the ground as these two are both standouts in the run game. Valley has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 151.7 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Bennett struggles in that department as they've been even better at 257.4 per game. It's looking like Thursday's game might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Valley was dealt a bruising 52-12 defeat at the hands of Bennett in their previous matchup back in October of 2022. Thankfully for Valley, Connor Rayburn (who rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 9.1 yards per carry) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
