Week 8 preview: After taking sole possession of first in TRC, Valley to host Wabash

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Wabash (2-4, 2-5 Three Rivers Conference) at Tippecanoe Valley (7-0, 6-0), 7 p.m.

The Tippecanoe Valley football team practiced blocking punts during the week prior to the Maconaquah game last week.

Assistant coach Brandon Webster designed a way to block a punt and communicated to this players during practice, according to Valley coach Stephen Moriarty.

Their practice paid off during the first 30 seconds as Alex Bailey blocked a punt and returned it 9 yards for a touchdown. Valley sped out to a 22-0 lead and cruised to a 57-14 homecoming win that moved them into sole possession of first in the TRC.

Valley is 6-0, and Rochester, Southwood and Maconaquah are 5-1.

“That week we did,” Moriarty said when asked about the punt blocking practice. “We had practiced it a couple times, and they lined up how we were hoping, and then we took the opportunity, and it was nice to see Bailey … anytime you see an offensive lineman score or a defensive lineman … it’s always exciting because they don’t have that opportunity. So I was very happy for Bailey that he got the touchdown.”

Valley also had 328 yards rushing on 12.1 yards per carry against Maconaquah. Both Nate Parker and Wade Jones had over 130 yards rushing.

Now they will face a Wabash defense that is allowing 38.7 points per game and allowed 345 yards on the ground to North Miami last week.

“The line did a good job of blocking up front and adjusting to their different fronts,” Moriarty said of the running game against Maconaquah. “And I thought we got up to linebackers, which was key. Dalton Alber had some great blocks as a fullback getting up on linebackers. And sometimes that doesn’t happen always. We try to, but I think against Maconaquah we did an exceptional job of working up to the second level.”

Like Maconaquah, Wabash also runs a spread with four wide receivers. Wabash junior quarterback Izaak Wright has thrown 11 touchdowns as compared to only two interceptions in 185 attempts.

Valley beat Wabash last year 54-0. Wabash’s two wins this season have both been by one point.