Valley takes down Apollo-Ridge to snap 5-game losing streak

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 12:12 AM

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Apollo-Ridge and Valley both came into Friday’s Allegheny Conference contest thirsting to get back in the win column.

Apollo-Ridge had lost three in a row, and Valley had dropped five straight since a Week Zero victory over Burrell.

In the battle of the Vikings at Apollo-Ridge’s Owens Field, Valley collected 341 rushing yards, including 209 yards and three touchdowns from Deonte Ross, and came away with a 28-16 victory.

“We kept getting punished and punished each week, and we were regrouping all the time,” said Valley coach Muzzy Colosimo, referring to the five-week gauntlet of Avonworth, Shady Side Academy, Imani Christian, Steel Valley and Freedom.

Those five teams came into this week’s games a combined 24-4.

“This win should really rejuvenate us,” Colosimo said.

Valley (2-5, 1-3) stayed alive for a WPIAL Class 3A playoff spot. It returns home next Friday for a homecoming conference game against Summit Academy.

Deonte Ross’ TD runs of 64 and 29 yards in the first half lifted Valley to a 12-0 lead. He finished the first half with 114 yards on 11 carries.

“Deonte is right up there with the best running backs I’ve coached,” Colosimo said. “He runs hard and punishes you when he runs. (Running the football) is what we feel our strength is, and who would’ve thought we would’ve been that good without (David) Schuffert.”

Schuffert, a 275-pound senior offensive linemen, didn’t play in Friday’s game as he served a one-game suspension after being ejected from last week’s loss to Freedom.

Apollo-Ridge had an early scoring opportunity as Klay Fitzroy picked off a pass from Valley’s Tyler Green and returned it 25 yards to the Valley 9.

Fitzroy kept the ball on first down and raced to the pylon, but he fumbled the ball into and out of the end zone, giving the ball back to Valley.

Apollo-Ridge punted three times and misfired on a field goal attempt over its next four possessions before cashing in on a drive late in the first half.

The drive started at its own 27 with 48 seconds left on the clock.

Fitzroy, who finished 10 of 21 passing for 100 yards, took to the air and moved the offense into Valley territory.

On the final play of the half, Fitzroy rolled to his left and found an open Brad Milko in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown. Gavin Cole added the extra point to draw Apollo-Ridge to within five at the break.

Fitzroy completed 5 of 8 passes on the drive, accounting for all 63 yards.

Colosimo felt Fitzroy was well past the line of scrimmage on the TD throw. He voiced his displeasure to the head official as the teams left the field and drew an undsportsmanlike penalty.

Apollo-Ridge kicked off from Valley’s 45 to start the second half and recovered an onside kick. Three plays into the drive, Fitzroy was on the receiving end of a 27-yard toss from Jake Fello. The PAT kick gave Apollo-Ridge a 14-12 lead.

But Valley answered quickly as Ross got loose in the Apollo-Ridge secondary and rambled 59 yards for what turned out to be the game-winning score.

Apollo-Ridge (2-5, 1-4) picked up a safety later in the third quarter, but Valley added some insurance on a 26-yard quarterback keeper from Tyler Green.

“We go back to the little things, and it comes down to execution,” Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba said. “We just didn’t make plays when we needed to on both sides of the ball.”

Vaun Ross added 73 yards on five carries for Valley.

“Apollo-Ridge is well-coached, and they played hard,” Colosimo said. “They are battling through some injuries right now, but they are a good team.”

Sophomore fullback and linebacker Logan Harmon and senior lineman Jacob Clark both were out of the lineup again with injuries.

Fello finished his night at quarterback with 7 completions on 12 attempts for 78 yards and the one score.

The Valley defense held Apollo-Ridge to minus-24 yards rushing.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-388-5825, mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Valley