by Dreama Ortivez
LA VETA- The LaVeta Redskin football team advanced to the 16 team A-8 man playoff bracket when they defeated the Plateau Valley Cowboys. Those in attendance were treated to a scoring frenzy by the Redskins.
Senior Jared Ray returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for the first score of the game. A pass from Jon Brunelli to Kaleb Bird was successful for the two-point conversion and the Redskins quickly took an 8 to 0 lead. On their first possession the Cowboys slowly moved the ball down the field and into the red zone. However, the Redskin defense rose to the challenge. Brunelli broke several tackles on his way to a 45-yard TD run. Brunelli then hit Ray on a short pass for the two-point conversion.
Once again the Redskin defense held and forced the Cowboys to punt. Plateau Valley′s Dalton Schuman nailed the punt and pinned the Redskins deep into their own territory. With the ball resting just one foot from their own goal, the Redskins tried to punch the ball forward, but the Cowboys’ defense busted through and sacked Brunelli in the end zone. This safety was the only score the Cowboys could muster up all day and would end the scoring for the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Redskin defense forced either a punt or turnover on downs. The Redskin offensive attack scored twice in the second quarter. The first of these two scores was a 21-yard pass from Brunelli to Clancy Kreutzer and a Brunelli to Adam Ortivez two-point conversion pass. The second score came when Bird picked up a backward pass and scooted down the field untouched 70 yards for the touchdown. Brunelli hit Ray for yet another successful two-point conversion.
As the second half began, the Redskins kicked to the Cowboys and the defense took over. Two plays by the Cowboys and a Ray interception, and the Redskin offense was back in business. Four runs and two passes later, the Redskins lit up the board again as Brunelli connected a 19-yard pass to Kreutzer for the touchdown. Brandon Morgan than ran in for the two-point conversion. The next Redskin score was set up by yet another great defensive series as Ortivez stepped in front of another Cowboy receiver and intercepted the ball. Four straight runs and Ray broke loose on his way to a 48-yard touchdown run. Morgan then ran in for two-point conversion.
At this point, still in the third quarter, the officials gave the signal for a running clock, and the Redskin coaching staff began to distribute participation to all of the members of the team. The younger players were sent in two at a time until all starters were relieved of duty. These younger players showed the same kind of toughness as their upper classmen teammates as they kept the Cowboy offense scoreless. They were also able to build upon the lead as Ortivez connected with Morgan on a 49-yard touchdown pass. Ortivez then added the run in for the two-point conversion. This would be the final score of the game as the Redskins sealed the 56 to 2 victory. With less than a minute left on the clock, members of the Redskin team felt compelled to treat Coach Falk to a nice cold watery soaking.
By Sunday afternoon, the Redskins discovered that they would be playing the defending State Champion Merino Rams in Merino Saturday. Coach Ortivez stated, “At this point of the season there is no easy draw. Every team is a quality team, so it does not matter who it is. We are very thankful to be here. We are going to do our best to take advantage of this opportunity. It will definitely be a great experience for our program.”
