As the sun went down in Brodheadsville, so did both teams’ offense. Both teams came into Friday night’s game with a record of 2-0. The Cavaliers have dominated the Monroe County Conference in recent years going 15-0 in that span. Last year’s contest between both teams ended in a Cavaliers win 36-14. So to say this year’s game would be any different, I would have disagreed with you.
Pleasant Valley was up to the task this year though. Their defense put constant pressure on East Stroudsburg all game long, keeping the Cavaliers’ offense in check in the first half. With 2:07 left in the first half, the Bears got the ball at East Stroudsburg’s 42. Pleasant Valley was able to move the ball and pick up a first down. They got the ball down to the Cavalier 27.
But with :50 left to go in the half, Pleasant Valley elected not to use one of their two remaining timeouts. Instead, they let the clock run down to :03. They attempted a 39-yard field goal. The field goal was no good and both teams were deadlocked at the half, 0-0.
To start the third quarter, ESS got the ball and moved it down to the Pleasant Valley three-yard line. This was where the PV defense came up big, stuffing the Cavaliers running back on fourth and goal from the three-yard line. There was no score through three quarters.
The Cavaliers struck first with 11:22 to go in the fourth. East Stroudsburg’s quarterback, Colby Mitchell hit their wide receiver Shane Bulay on a five-yard screen pass for the game’s first score. East Stroudsburg went for a two-point conversion. This proved to be vital because the Bears’ defense was up to the task yet again, stuffing the play before the goal line.
On Pleasant Valley’s next possession, they drove the ball right down the field. On the quarterback keeper, Valentino Byers-Robinson went in from 13 yards out. PV took the lead for good with the extra point.
Pleasant Valley (3-0) travels to play Dieruff and East Stroudsburg South (2-1) is on the road against Pocono Mountain East.
