Hurricane "upsets" Spring Valley 41-21

Spring Valley rolled into Hurricane on a 3 game winning streak and having given up 21 points on the season. As they headed west on I-64 following a 41-21 manhandling by the Redskins they must have been wondering, What just happened?

The Timberwolves, a participant in least year's AAA Championship game, and sporting one of the state's best defensive units, saw Hurricane score on 7 of 8 possessions after a 3 and out on the games initial possession.

In fact after forcing the Redskins to punt, Spring Valley drove 35 yards in 7 plays, rather easily, and grabbed a 7-0 lead. At this point it looked like every sport writer in the state may have been correct in predicting a Spring Valley victory.

But before you could say "no so fast my friend", Hurricane had an answer. An answer that would be correct all night. Nathan Roy to Dakota Williams! The first such answer was a beautiful catch and throw that saw Williams beat single coverage, and glide untouched for a 79 yard touchdown tying the score at 7. The momentum switched just as rapidly.

After the first of several Hurricane defensive stops on the night, the Redskins were back in business. And Business was good! Roy once again found "D-Will" in single coverage and launched a 37 yard TD pass to put the Redskins up 14-7.

Hurricanes defense led by some big plays from Payton Lundsford and Steven Shine forced a Timberwolves' punt which was returned 40 yards by the exciting Curon Cordon. Cordon upped the excitement level at Redskin Stadium when he took a reverse from Christian Hill 18 yards for another Skins TD and Hurricane had a 21-7 lead.

After Spring Valley had an impressive drive stall, they attempted a Field Goal to cut into the Hurricane lead. Cameron Kimble had different ideas. Kimble blocked the attempt scooped the loose ball and raced 65 yards down the sideline. Kimble heroics would lead to a Tim McCutchen 27 yard field goal and a stunning 24-7 Hurricane halftime lead. McCutchen, proving to be a valuable weapon for the Redskins, made 5 PAT and 2 FGs on the night.

Coach Taylor told Tom Hunter a FNR TV reporter at halftime, that Spring Valley is a great team and this game was far from over. Perhaps his team did not hear their coach, perhaps it was the long homecoming halftime, or perhaps Owen Porter is just one hard son of a gun to tackle. In any event Porter took the first play of the 2nd half 67 yards for a touchdown that seemed to get Spring Valley right back in the game at 24-14.

Hurricane responded with a nice drive that culminated in a 32 yard McCutchen FG to give the Redskins a 27-14 lead. At this point Spring Valley put their QB Johnson at WR and looked to the "passing" QB Adkins. The duo hooked up on 29 and 30 yard receptions leading to Johnson's 1 yard touchdown run cutting the Redskin lead to 6, 27-21. Hurricane needed an answer.

One again Roy and Williams responded. On a play where it appeared that Roy threw the ball as far as he could, Williams (4-196 3tds) seemingly found another gear, and ran under the ball and once again went untouched for a 57 yard score making the score 34-21. After an exchange of punts, Walker James intercepted a Timberwolves' pass.

The Redskins Offensive line of Watson, Butler Runion, Geter and Ross, showed Spring Valley that they could also play power football, and opened some big holes for Hill and Jordan Williams. Hill put the exclamation point on a huge victory for Hurricane with a 13 yard touchdown making the final 41-21.

As sweet and exciting as the victory over Cabell Midland was last year, this game may have been the best game that Hurricane has played against a quality opponent in some time. As stated earlier this game stamps the Redskins as one of the best in the state.