Prep football: Valencia’s big first half ends Arroyo Grande’s playoff hopes
The Valencia High School football team practiced its Hail Mary play just once this week. Apparently that was enough.
Valencia scored on a 46-yard prayer as the first half expired to highlight a 52-24 home win Friday night over Arroyo Grande in a second-round Division 2 CIF-Southern Section playoff game.
An Arroyo Grande defender tipped the lofted pass right into the arms of Sedric Vargas for the touchdown that capped a 21-0 run on a chilly night to give Valencia a 38-17 halftime lead. The PAC 5 champion Eagles (10-2) were unable to recover, putting an end to their 10-game winning streak and season.
“They came up with that big play at the end of the half, which kind of broke our backs a little bit,” Arroyo Grande head coach Tom Goossen said. “But that being said, we never stopped working and never stopped doing what we were taught to do. With that I am happy with our effort, and I love this team.”
Bullard Backs Up
The story coming into this game was the health of Arroyo Grande’s starting quarterback Sawyer May. After injuring his ankle last Friday against Westlake, the senior was on crutches Friday night and junior Zach Bullard was lined up as the starter.
While May stood dejected on the sideline, Bullard played well in the first quarter of his first-ever start at quarterback — and so did the rest of the Eagles. Arroyo Grande forced a fumble on the second play of the game and punched it in with Cameron Johnston from 1 yard out to take a 7-0 lead. Valencia would answer to tie it at 7-7, but Bullard put Arroyo Grande back on top with two big plays. His 26-yard run was followed by a 38-yard touchdown pass to a streaking Trevor Alton to make it 14-7 Eagles.
But Bullard couldn’t keep it going the entire game due to a combination of dropped passes, a stagnant run game and one big mistake. Bullard’s intercepted screen pass gave Valencia the ball back with 20 seconds to go until halftime, plenty of time to pull off a Hail Mary.
Bullard finished the game 7 of 14 for 73 yards passing and added four carries for 39 yards.
May’s running ability, accurate passing and the loss of Bullard as the team’s second leading receiver didn’t help the Eagles cause.
Moises Runs Wild
Valencia running back Moises Haynes fits a lot of muscle in his 5-foot-9 frame. He used every bit of it Friday night to run through arm tackles of Arroyo Grande defenders on his way to a huge night. The junior had 27 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns. He also added three catches for 31 yards.
“I’m tired, I’m not going to lie,” Haynes said after the game. “They are a physical team.”
On the other side, Arroyo Grande couldn’t quite get its star running back, sophomore James Gilmet, going. It wasn’t for lack of trying.
With May out and the passing threat severely diminished, Valencia defenders swarmed and held Gilmet to just 59 yards on 14 carries, most of which came on a long run. Matt Sill was Arroyo Grande’s leading rusher with 11 carries for 88 yards, but he also had a fumble in the first quarter that set up the second Valencia touchdown.
Trick Play
The beginning of the end for Arroyo Grande came when Valencia dialed up a trick play with about four minutes to go until halftime. With the score tied 17-17, the Vikings executed a reverse pass from backup quarterback Connor Downs to Zion Dunson that went for a 40-yard touchdown.
Dunson had four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns to lead Valencia.
The Arroyo Grande defense was able to pressure Valencia quarterback Aaron Thomas on the night, and Cade Cunningham had an interception for the Eagles. But Thomas still threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns.
What’s Next
Valencia (10-2) moves on to face San Clemente in the semifinals after they beat Heritage 23-19.
This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Prep football: Valencia’s big first half ends Arroyo Grande’s playoff hopes."