HV powers past Rangers behind Bahn
Published 12:42 am Saturday, September 26, 2020
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Warriors Matthew Bahn (22) scores Happy Valley’s first touchdown of the night from 17 yards out less than two minutes into the first quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders A swarming Warrior defense smothers Unaka’s Drew Smith (4) in the backfield for a six-yard loss early in the first quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley’s Matthew Bahn (22) finds the end zone for the third time in the first half, this time from 15 yards out.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley’s Andrew Little (3) goes high in the air and intercepts a pass, coming down hard in the end zone, intended for Devin Ramsey (3) with less than a minute left in the second quarter to keep the Rangers scoreless in the half.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Rangers Jamol Blamo (20) steps in front of a pass intended for the Warriors Matt Smith (8), at the goal line for the interception.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley’s Andrew Little (3) is caught from behind by the Rangers Caleb Lydick (5) and Daniel Street (10) and tackled one yard shy of the end zone after a 35 yard run in the second quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Warriors Gabe Nickles (8) deflects a pass intended for Unaka’s Devin Ramsey (3) in the first quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Rangers Landon Ramsey (13) fires a pass downfield looking for his favorite target brother Devin Ramsey in the first quarter.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Happy Valley’s Matthew Bahn (22) heads to the house for the second time in the first quarter escorted by Mason Hicks (60) from seven yards out.
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BY ALLEN LAMOUNTAIN
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Happy Valley senior running back Matthew Bahn rushed 29 times for 267 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors turned away Unaka 33-6 on Friday night on Warrior Hill.
Bahn left in the third period after a hard sideline hit, but HV rushed for 388 yards as a team, and Warriors head coach Jason Jarrett said, “We have an off week next week so there was no need to put him back in.
“He had a really good night and he plays one side of the ball and it’s no secret he is a special weapon for us. He is always falling forward and finishing his runs.”
The first half was Bahn’s show as he ran 23 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns. The Warriors (3-2 overall) first drive was a mere three plays for 44 yards with Bahn cashing in the six points on a 17-yard run. Cameron Cochran’s point-after kick made it 7-0 in favor of Happy Valley.
HV’s second drive was 10-plays, 62 yards with Bahn scoring on a seven-yard blast for a 13-0 Warriors lead after the PAT kick failed.
The Rangers had a fine drive going on their next possession moving from the 34-yard line to the HV 31 from where sophomore quarterback Landon Ramsey had a first down screen pass called back for an ineligible man downfield and Unaka turned the ball over on downs at the 36-yard line.
From there the Warriors drove 67 yards on 16 plays before Unaka sophomore Jamol Blamo picked off HV senior quarterback Eli Ayers in the end zone.
Unable to move the ball from the shadow of its end zone Unaka (2-2 overall) punted and HV took possession at the Rangers 45 yard line.
It took just four plays for Bahn to gallop 13 yards to paydirt and Ayers clicked with Landon Babb on the two-point play for a 21-0 Warriors lead.
Bahn added his fourth rushing touchdown of the night to stake HV to a 27-0 lead early in the third quarter, but Unaka answered with a nine-play 65-yard drive with junior Daniel Shearl catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ramsey to make it 27-6.
“Our front line did a real good job tonight,” Jarrett said. “I told coach Bennett that he has instilled pride up there and I am happy for him. They play disciplined football and they execute well. What they do they do well.”
Junior Drew Smith rushed 10 times for 70 yards to lead Unaka while Ramsey had an up and down night passing for 103 yards on eight-for-23 passing.
Unaka will take on Cloudland next week for the conference title while Happy Valley rests.
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Happy Valley 33-6
Unaka 0 0 6 0 – 6
Happy Valley 13 8 6 6 – 33
Scoring summary
First Quarter
H – Bahn 17 run (Cochran kick) 10:48
H – Bahn 7 run (kick failed) 4:31
Second Quarter
H – Bahn 13 run (Ayers pass to Babb) 1:59
Third Quarter
H – Bahn 16 run (kick failed) 9:00
U – Shearl 24 pass from L. Ramsey (pass failed) 5:28
Fourth Quarter
H – Lunceford 16 pass from Ayers (pass failed) 3:38
