Winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Steel Valley). They breezed by the Shady Side Academy Bulldogs on the road to the tune of 49-0 on Friday. Considering the Ironmen have won three contests by more than 19 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Steel Valley's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Donald Barksdale led the charge by rushing for 259 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries. Barksdale really tore up the turf during one magnificent 94-yard run. The team also got some help courtesy of Da'Ron Barksdale, who rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Steel Valley was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 465 rushing yards. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved they're rushing yard total in three consecutive matches.
The win got Steel Valley back to even at 3-3. As for Shady Side Academy, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-4.
Steel Valley will be playing in front of their home fans against Apollo Ridge at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Apollo Ridge is coming into the matchup with four straight losses on the road, meaning Steel Valley will have to defend against a squad hungry for a victory. As for Shady Side Academy, they will venture away from home to square off against South Allegheny at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
