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VALE – In the last three games played, including the most recent 48-0 victory over the Siuslaw Vikings in 3A first round action on Saturday, Nov. 5, the Vale football team has outscored their opponents 133-7. The lone touchdown came in the final quarter of a game versus the Burns Hilanders with the varsity starters on the sidelines.
Heading into the week facing a showdown with top ranked Kennedy, will Vale ride the backs of the defensive unit to a state title?
“We had some hiccups early in the season on defense,” said Vale coach Jeff Aldred. “As a defensive heavy coaching staff, we took the time and effort and worked with the players both as a group and on many individual workouts. The extra work has paid off.”
The Vale defense forced six Siuslaw turnovers as Vale won over the visiting Vikings of Siuslaw 48-0 to start a state run. The Viking appears to have listened to Aldred and his coaching staff, holding Siuslaw to only 140 yards of total offense.
While the Viks have concentrated on shoring up the team’s defense, the offense is also shining. Facing Siuslaw, Vale scored 48 points and put up 385 total yards of offense while running only 29 total plays.
Three Vale runners averaged over 12 yards a carry including Eli Aldred (10 carries for 139 yards), Colton Stepleton (six carries for 75 yards) and Kase Schaffeld (four carries for 59 yards). Stepleton also finished the game 4-for-6 passing for 109 yards and no interceptions.
“We have a lot of players that have grown up since the start of the season,” said Aldred. “Our linebackers played great and Jake DeVos himself ended the game with 12 tackles. Offensively, we were efficient with Eli (Aldred) and Damick (Eddy) playing well the entire game.”
Photo Gallery – Vale v Siuslaw – Randy Seals
Vale made the most of not having the ball much in the first quarter. A long Siuslaw drive ate most of the clock, ending with a blocked punt by the Viking’s Brooks Haueter and setting up the Vikings on their own 36-yard line. A quick slant pass from Stepleton to Eddy resulted in a 63-yard scoring play and the first points on the board on Vale’s third touch of the ball for the quarter.
A second miscue by Siuslaw early in the second quarter set up the second Vale score. Mishandling a punt deep in their own territory, Siuslaw handed the Vikings the ball on Siuslaw 8-yard line. The Viks were in the endzone quickly off a run by Aldred.
After the ensuing kickoff, Siuslaw again handed the ball back to the Vikings off a fumble on the first offensive snap. The Vikings, starting on the Siuslaw 28-yard line, again made quick work of the situation, scoring on a 19-yard run.
Siuslaw attempted to put some points on the board prior to the half, driving all the way to the Vale 28-yard line. A fumble again handed the ball back to the Vikings with 1:36 left on the clock and as the teams headed to the locker room, Vale led 20-0.
Siuslaw started the second half with a drive and again, a fumble. Again, the Viks converted the turnover to points off a 44-yard run by Schaffled with 5:59 left in the third quarter.
The next Viking score was set up not by a fumble, but an interception by Leland Tamez. Needing only a single play off the turnover, it was a pass from Stepleton to Haueter to push the lead to 34-0.
Aldred pushed the score to 41-0 on a 78-yard run with the clock showing 1:30 left in the third quarter. On the final play of the third quarter, Siuslaw again lost the handle on the ball with Vale’s Will Friend recovering the fumble. The Vikings quickly converted the turnover for the final score of the game.
The home games are done for the Vikings as the 3A playoffs continue. Seeded eighth, Vale will be on the road on Saturday, Nov. 12 to take on Kennedy, the top seed in the bracket.
“Kennedy is a challenge,” Aldred said. “They have a great mix of size and speed and are dynamic. We are confident and Vale always plays well on the road with great fan support making the trip.”
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