BY EVAN BROWN
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Valley High School (6-3, 4-3) sent its seniors out on a high note Friday, Oct. 23, with five second-half touchdowns to pull away from Beauregard High School (0-10, 0-7) on senior night.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Rams, putting them on the right path as the playoffs approach.
“We could have come down here and kind of hung our heads and kind of given up on it, but we didn’t,” Valley head coach Adam Hunter said. “So that’s a testament to this group.”
Joseph Hutchinson led Valley on the ground with 159 rushing yards and three TDs on 21 carries. Bryant Hopkins completed 7 of 14 passes for 119 yards and two TDs, while Nikelen Linson had a pick-six, a fumble recovery and six tackles.
Beauregard got on the board first, converting a third-and-15 with a 15-yard TD pass from Jadontae Jones to Jeffery Holloway with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter. The Hornets attempted a fake extra point but failed to convert, keeping the score at 6-0.
Valley answered early in the second quarter when Hutchinson scored on a 14-yard TD run. The extra point gave the Rams a 7-6 lead, which they took into halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, Hutchinson moved Valley down the field with three carries for 25 yards. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Beauregard set Valley up in the red zone, and Hutchinson finished the drive with a 12-yard TD run to put the Rams up 14-6.
Valley’s defense added to the momentum on the second play of Beauregard’s ensuing possession when Linson intercepted Jones’ pass and returned it 42 yards for a TD to make the score 21-6.
A big hit by defensive back A.J. Harper and a sack by senior defensive end Trayvion Flournoy led to a quick punt, which Valley quickly capitalized on with Hopkins finding wide receiver Mikka James on a 28-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 28-6.
Another sack by Flournoy forced a punt deep in Beauregard territory, setting up Valley with good field positioning for a second straight drive going into the fourth quarter.
The Rams’ next drive ended with a senior-to-senior connection, with Hopkins finding wide receiver Kason Varner for a 20-yard TD pass to make the lead 35-6.
Linson got his second takeaway of the night the next drive, when he recovered a fumble following a high snap.
The short field benefited the Rams, who only needed two plays to find the end zone, with Hutchinson getting his third TD of the night on a 16-yard TD run, making the final score 42-6 in Valley’s favor.
Hopkins credited the junior running back for creating more room for Valley’s receivers, as Beauregard was forced to account for Hutchinson.
“We were able to run the ball and open up the passing game,” Hopkins said. “It pulled some safeties and corners down, so that way we can pass the ball.”
The game was especially meaningful for Valley’s seniors, who were recognized in their final game in Ram Stadium.
“I get to watch these kids grow up and become young men,” Hunter said. “I’m proud of them, proud of what they’re doing.”
Linson, who has spent four years at Valley, said representing the school has been important to him and encouraged younger players to continue building on its tradition.
“It means a lot to represent Valley,” Linson said. “It’s a good tradition. It’s been going on for a long time. Keep rolling, keep playing, working hard and be great.”
With the regular season complete, Valley will have Halloween weekend off before facing its next opponent in the postseason. Varner said he believes the Rams can carry their performance forward as they prepare to make a strong playoff run.
“It feels good going into [the playoffs] as a team, I know we can if we all play together,” Varner said.
