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VALE – In a sports world driven by statistics and percentages, we all need to remember the points on the scoreboard is the ultimate factor. While the Vale football team ended a game versus Baker with more total offensive yards on paper, a 20-point second quarter by the Bulldogs propelled Baker to a 33-14 non-league victory over the Vikings on Friday, Sept. 16 on the night of Vale’s homecoming.
The two teams held the other scoreless for the first quarter of the matchup. With just six seconds off the clock in the second quarter, Baker quarterback Paul Hobson found the endzone on a five-yard run around the right side for the first score on the board. With the extra point, the Bulldogs led 7-0.
Baker then went to the passing game for the next two scores. Hobson connected with Hudson Spike on a 14-yard passing play with 8:34 showing on the clock for the second touchdown of the game. It was the same duo again to put Baker up 20-0 at the half as Hobson and Spike found the connection on a 31-yard play.
The Bulldogs went up by 27 points, scoring again through the air as Hobson found Rasean Jones on a 18-yard pass for the score. The clock showed 3:53 left in the third quarter before Vale put points on the board as Colten Stepleton hooked up with Damick Eddy on a long, 48-yard pass and run play for Vale’s first six points. Heading into the final 12 minutes, Baker led 27-7.
The Vale defense held the Bulldogs scoreless in the final quarter and the Viking offense added an additional score on a rushing touchdown by Kase Schaffeld.
“We missed our opportunities of offense,” said Vale head coach Jeff Aldred. “Baker is a tough matchup and improved on some things we had seen on film. Hobson puts the ball on target and reads the field well.”
Aldred said the Vikings will go back to the practice field to work on fundamentals, especially in the areas of blocking and tackling.
Photo Galleries – Baker v Vale – Jerry Foster – Randy Seals – John Braese
“We did some really good thing defensively, especially in the second half,” Aldred said. “I like how we fought to the end and was impressed how Kase (Schaffeld) stepped up after the injury to Eli (Aldred).”
Hobson was impressive for Baker, ending the night 15-for-24 for 235 yards and no interceptions. Spike was his main target, catching seven for 127 yards and the two scores.
For the night, Baker ended with 318 total yards, but more importantly had 225 of those yards in the first half. The ground game was minimal, totaling 83 total yards with Jaxson Logsdon leading the way with 49 yards on 13 carries.
To add to no interceptions, the Bulldogs were careful with the ball, losing the ball only a single time due to a fumble.
On paper, Vale put up 327 total yards offensively. Relying on the ground game in the first half, Vale opened up the air attack in the second half. For the game, the Vikings ended the loss with 214 total yards passing and 113 yards on the ground.
Brooks Haueter had a big night receiving, picking up 112 yards on eight catches. Stepleton ended 14-for-32 with no scores and three interceptions.
Prior to leaving the game, Eli Aldred carried for 30 yards on nine touches of the ball. Schaffeld picked up the slack, finding 55 yards on 11 carries. The Vikings were also stingy with turnovers, not losing the ball during the night on a fumble.
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