The return of Friday Night Lights is upon us as the Valencia Vikings kicked off their first game of the season and played host to the Simi Valley Pioneers.
The home opener saw a warm and welcoming crowd fill the stands at Valencia Stadium, even as the nonconference matchup saw a slight delay due to the heat, which moved the kickoff to 7:35 p.m.
The Vikings got on the board in the 1st, with a 1st and 10 at the Pioneers’ 42-yard line, when Vikings Quarterback Brady Bretthauer threw it to Tight End Elias Holloway, and he ran it all the way to the end zone for a quick strike. After Vikings Kicker Matteo Petrosky secures the extra point, they take an early 7-0 lead.
In the waning minutes of the 2nd quarter, Valencia’s offense looks to add to the lead as Bretthauer gives a sneaky handoff to senior running back Brian Bonner, and he powers his way through, putting the Vikings up by 14.
Then, with less than a minute until halftime, Bretthauer darts a quick one up the middle and Sophomore Wide Receiver Matthew Steen looks to join the fun with an easy touchdown. All extra points are good, and the Vikings lead 21-0 at halftime.
At the end of the 3rd, the Vikings are all over the ball tonight. Brethauer finds an open lane and takes the ball himself straight to the cooker. It’s 28-0 Vikings.
Halfway through the final frame, freshman Quarterback Evan McAllister, in for Bretthauer, coughs up the ball down the middle, and Simi Valley Free Safety Cole Alejo completes the pick 6. The extra point is up and good, but that’s all Simi Valley can muster.
The Valencia Vikings win their home opener with the final score of 28-7 and improve to a 1-0 record.
Despite the victory, Valencia Head Coach Larry Muir believes the team has a lot of work before next week’s game.
“That’s the nice thing about a first game, you got so much to fix and so much to get on film, and see,” said Muir. “Hopefully we’re going to get a little bit sharper next week.”
Valencia heads out on the road for their next game to play Chaminade on August 29th.
