by Chris Kucharski of nepafootball.com
Dallas only lost two games last season and they were both at the hands of Valley View. That won’t be happening this season. The Mountaineers made sure of that with a 37-7 blowout of the Cougars. Dallas pounded the football with tailback Lenny Kelley leading the way behind an offensive line that dominated the Valley View front. Kelley carried the ball 32 times for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
The irony of these two teams is that last year Valley View was the team that ran all over everybody because they returned five starting linemen. Dallas returned four starting offensive lineman this season and that’s where the game was won.
The Dallas defense was very good as well as they held all-state quarterback Janassah Boone in check. Boone never got his running game going being held to 39 rushing yards and he also threw two second half interceptions. Valley View’s offense didn’t score until the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.
The game didn’t start great for Dallas as they fumbled on their first drive, but the defense forced a three and out and then Dallas’ offense took over.
Kelly would score on the next two drives with runs of 20 and 3 yards to stake the Mounts to a 14-0 first quarter lead. They never looked back from there.
Dallas would end up with a total yardage advantage of 414 to 211 with 364 of those yards coming on the ground.
Quarterback Michael Starbuck managed the game for the Mountaineers throwing for 50 yards including a 15-yard second quarter touchdown pass on fourth down to tight end Jack Farrell. That score gave Dallas a 21-0 halftime lead. Starbuck would add two rushing touchdowns in the second half from the one yardline.
The Cougars lone touchdown came on a 33-yard pass from Boone to Jordan Conserette, but the game was already in hand.
The Mountaineers (8-0) win avenged two losses to Valley View (7-1) last season including the District 2 Class 4A championship game. Dallas still has work to do to clinch the No. 1 seed in the district as they play state-ranked Berwick next Friday. Valley View’s winning streak over District 2 teams was stopped at 27. The Cougars will visit Scranton (6-2) next week.
