Valley View 35, Poplar Bluff 18

Valley View 35, Poplar Bluff 18

JONESBORO — Valley View leaned on its heritage — a bruising ground game and swarming linebackers — to turn back Poplar Bluff 35–18 in Friday’s opener at Central Dealership Stadium.

Junior running back Carter Wallace delivered a four-touchdown night (22, 3, 17, 2 yards), running behind a veteran offensive front that controlled the trenches. Quarterback Taylor Hyneman kept the Blazers balanced, while wideout Parker King supplied key receptions to extend drives. Defensively, middle linebacker Ryder Wooten and outside linebacker Silas Thomas spearheaded a unit that tightened after halftime.

Poplar Bluff countered behind its playmakers. Wide receiver Colt Clifford, taking snaps at quarterback, guided two scoring marches, tossing a 37-yard strike to tight end Bryce Dobbs and a 14-yard touchdown to receiver Logan Slackin the final seconds. Running back Devin Ferguson pounded out tough yards, including a 1-yard score, and set up field position with a long first-quarter return.

Special teams tilted the early momentum. Valley View’s AV Jones broke free for an 80-yard punt return touchdown to spark a 14-0 start. The Mules closed to 14-12 by halftime, but Wallace’s third-quarter pair of touchdown runs restored control. His 2-yard plunge in the fourth sealed it, with kicker Troy Dale perfect on five extra points.

Both programs showed promise — Valley View’s downhill identity held steady, while Poplar Bluff’s skill corps flashed danger.

Scoring Summary

1Q – Valley View, Wallace 22 run (Dale kick), 7-0.
1Q – Valley View, Jones 80 punt return (Dale kick), 14-0.
1Q – Poplar Bluff, Dobbs 37 pass from Clifford (fail), 14-6.
2Q – Poplar Bluff, Ferguson 1 run (fail), 14-12.
3Q – Valley View, Wallace 3 run (Dale kick), 21-12.
3Q – Valley View, Wallace 17 run (Dale kick), 28-12.
4Q – Valley View, Wallace 2 run (Dale kick), 35-12.
4Q – Poplar Bluff, Slack 14 pass from Clifford (fail), 35-18.

Players Who Stood Out

• Carter Wallace (Valley View, RB/SS) — 4 rushing TDs.
• AV Jones (Valley View) — 80-yard punt return TD.
• Ryder Wooten (Valley View, MLB) — Defensive anchor.
• Colt Clifford (Poplar Bluff, WR) — 2 TD passes.
• Bryce Dobbs (Poplar Bluff, TE/DE) — 37-yard TD catch.