Happy Valley’s playoff time cut short: Oneida Indians dominate in 17-0 victory
Published 12:27 pm Monday, November 6, 2023
Star Photo/Ron Marvel Jayden Walls makes life tough on the Indians QB in the 3rd quarter.
Star Photo/Ron Marvel Aiden Paul takes the QB keeper over the left side.
Star Photo/Ron Marvel Joe Sowards runs off tackle for a pick of four yards.
Star Photo/Ron Marvel The Warriors take over near mid-field after the Ron Paul Parker interception in the opening minutes of the second half against Oneida.
Star Photo/Ron Marvel HC Jason Jarrett implores his defense to make a second-quarter stand.
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By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
Happy Valley hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2016 unfortunately their offense just could not get anything going. The first half would see simple domination from the visiting Oneida Indians as they would outgain the Warriors 135-15. The Warriors defense would step up several times or the halftime deficit would be worse than the 14-0 Indians lead. Oneida would get on the board first with a 7-yard touchdown run from Landon Limburg. A botched snap on a punt attempt would set up the Indians in great field position, but the Warriors would step up and hold the Indians to a missed field goal attempt. With just :45 seconds left Oneida would get on the board again as Indians QB Caden Rector would hit Aiden Frazier with a 13-yard touchdown pass. Overall, the Warriors would pick up just three first downs in the first half.
Ron Paul Parker would try to spark the offense with an interception to start the second half giving the Warriors the ball at their own 40-yard line, but after picking up a first down the Warriors would fumble the ball. The Indians would take advantage to make the score 17-0 late in the 3rd quarter after a 34-yard field goal. The Warriors would penetrate deep into Oneida territory twice in the 2nd half but both drives would end in turnovers on downs. Oneida would run the last 6:59 off the game clock to ice the game.
For the game, the Warriors would be outgained 189 to 79 and have just eight first downs in the game. To complicate matters even further the Warriors would turn the ball over three times often as they would appear on the verge of getting rhythm on offense. Joseph Sowards would lead all Warrior rushers with 56 yards. Defensively he would also lead the team with 11 tackles while JC Andes would chip in seven and Gabe McDougald would add six.
Post game Warriors Head Coach Jason Jarrett talked about how the turnovers and the physicality of the Indians flipped the game script, “To be honest they were bigger, faster and stronger tonight we got manhandled, football is a physical game we have been on the other side of that for the last seven games, but they were that team tonight. It starts with turning the football over two fumbles and a bad snap in the last seven games those were things we weren’t doing; it’s a combination of several things, poor execution and we just got whipped that’s a good football team we just played” Jarrett stated.
On the other hand, Coach Jarrett also made sure to pause to reflect on what this 2023 team accomplished, “I am proud of this team; they were a fun group to be around. We hate to see these seniors leave this program, but they have left a mark, and we hope it’s a mark our underclassmen can see. Their (Warrior Seniors) leadership, work ethic, perseverance and toughness, I hope these underclassmen see that and build on it. I believe the future is bright on Warrior Hill; we are young in a lot of areas that 7-game win streak can motivate us in the offseason” Jarrett contributed.
