Dunham, defense carry Valley View past Greene County Tech
Valley View 27, Greene County Tech 6
JONESBORO: Trent Dunham scored on runs of 16 and 62 yards, and Valley View’s defense forced two turnovers as the Blazers defeated Greene County Tech 27-6 Friday night at Central Dealership Stadium. Valley View scored all four of its touchdowns on the ground and held the Golden Eagles scoreless until the fourth quarter.
The defense provided the first scoring opportunity. Sonny Williams stopped Ashton Addison short on third down, and the Blazers’ defensive front turned Addison back on fourth-and-one. Valley View took over at Tech’s 30. Rowan Sanders supplied the early rushing gains, and Quinn Gartman scrambled for a third-down conversion before Dunham went around the outside untouched for a 16-yard touchdown with 5:12 left in the opening quarter. Dunham added the extra point.
Williams intercepted a pass over the middle early in the second quarter, but the Blazers’ ensuing possession ended on downs. The defense forced another punt, giving Valley View the ball at its own 38. After an incomplete pass, Dunham broke through the middle and outran the pursuit for a 62-yard touchdown. His extra point made it 14-0 with 5:22 remaining.
Silas Thomas tackled a receiver for a loss on Tech’s next possession, and Williams broke up a third-down pass to force another punt. Valley View then drove 55 yards. Sanders produced two first-down runs, and Dunham carried the ball to the 15. Carter Wallace finished the possession with consecutive carries, scoring with 1:47 remaining. Dunham’s third extra point extended the lead to 21-0.
The Blazers nearly added another touchdown before halftime when Levi Manning caught a Gartman pass and worked his way into the end zone, but holding erased the play. Tech intercepted the next pass, and Sanders made the tackle on the return to preserve the halftime margin.
Greene County Tech opened the second half with a possession that consumed more than eight minutes but produced no points. The Golden Eagles converted fourth down before penalties pushed them backward, and Valley View forced a punt. The teams then exchanged fumbles, with the Blazers recovering at Tech’s 39.
Dunham’s run and a late-hit penalty moved Valley View into the red zone. Justin Saare caught a pass for a first down, and Gartman followed with an untouched touchdown run with 19 seconds left in the third quarter. The extra point missed, leaving the Blazers ahead 27-0.
Eli Thornton’s tackle for a loss helped force another Tech punt in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles finally received a short field when a high punt snap sent Dunham scrambling. He ran but could not reach the first-down marker, giving Tech possession at Valley View’s 25.
Davontae Williams converted an early first down on that drive, and Addison moved the ball closer before Williams scored on a 5-yard run with 4:23 remaining. Valley View blocked the extra point. Dunham later punted the ball to Tech’s 39, and the Blazers kept the Golden Eagles from scoring again.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
Valley View: Trent Dunham 16-yard touchdown run (Dunham kick), 5:12. Valley View 7, Greene County Tech 0.
2nd quarter
Valley View: Dunham 62-yard touchdown run (Dunham kick), 5:22. Valley View 14, Greene County Tech 0.
Valley View: Carter Wallace touchdown run (Dunham kick), 1:47. Valley View 21, Greene County Tech 0.
3rd quarter
Valley View: Quinn Gartman touchdown run (kick failed), 0:19. Valley View 27, Greene County Tech 0.
4th quarter
Greene County Tech: Davontae Williams 5-yard touchdown run (kick blocked), 4:23. Valley View 27, Greene County Tech 6.
Players who stood out
Trent Dunham, Valley View: Two rushing touchdowns, covering 16 and 62 yards; three extra points; four kickoff touchbacks. Also handled punting duties.
Sonny Williams, Valley View: Intercepted a second-quarter pass, broke up a later third-down pass and stopped a runner short on third down before the opening fourth-down defensive stand.
Quinn Gartman, Valley View: Scored the Blazers’ fourth touchdown on a third-quarter keeper. Scrambled for a third-down first down on the opening touchdown drive.
Carter Wallace, Valley View: Scored a second-quarter rushing touchdown to complete a 55-yard drive and extend the lead to three touchdowns.
Rowan Sanders, Valley View: Two first-down runs on the drive that ended with Wallace’s touchdown. Made the tackle on Tech’s interception return at the end of the first half.
Davontae Williams, Greene County Tech: Scored on a 5-yard fourth-quarter run and converted an earlier first down on the same possession.