Ark Valley News - HORNET FOOTBALL: Valley loses at Goddard

HORNET FOOTBALL: Valley loses at Goddard
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: October 19, 2017

The Valley Center High School football team fell to 5-2 with a 57-7 loss to Goddard on the road Friday (Oct. 13).

“We were dropping like flies against the best team in the state," said Valley Center coach Caleb Smith. “It just didn't go our way tonight. I thought our defense played well early to at least have a chance. Offensively, we just couldn't get anyone going."

Goddard built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before Valley Center scored on a pick-six by Dalton Cross.

Goddard scored 33 unanswered points, including a touchdown with 35 seconds left in the game.

Valley Center went three-and-out twice to start the game and its third drive ended with a muffed snap on a punt attempt that Goddard jumped on in the end zone.

The Hornets got inside the Goddard 30 with two minutes left in the first quarter but couldn't convert on a fourth-and-four.

Cross intercepted another Goddard pass in the second quarter, but the Hornets turned the ball over deep in their territory, leading to a Lion field goal.

Goddard scored two touchdowns — one on an interception return — in just over a minute to take control of the game with a 30-7 lead in the second quarter.

The Lions added a touchdown with 14 seconds left to take a 37-7 halftime lead. Goddard added 13 in the third and seven in the fourth.

The Hornets lost two starters to injuries. Patrick Gillen, a defensive lineman, left the game with an elbow injury. Jerod Payne, offensive lineman, has an ACL injury. Smith said both could be out for the rest of the season.

After two straight losses, the Hornets will return home to face Andover Oct. 20.