Caleb Riordan | Ameritime Sports Writer
The Valle Catholic Warriors Varsity Football team won its 600th game in school history Friday over the St. Pius Lancers with a 63-0 blowout.
It was a historic night in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Valle completed an undefeated regular season, won their 600th game and recalled upon their first State Championship in school history, as they honored the team from 40 years ago at halftime. Behind all of the hoopla, the Warriors absolutely crushed Pius.
Bryce Giesler started things off when he punched in a three-yard rushing touchdown three minutes into the first quarter, that put Valle ahead 6-0. Then the Warriors’ defense made it their goal to try and keep up with the offense when it came to scoring points. Charlie Friedman snagged an interception and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to give his team a two-possession lead. Shortly after, Luke McClure took a carry 15 yards to the house giving the Warriors a 20-0 lead with five minutes left in the quarter.
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Giesler broke free and found pay dirt again on a 94-yard carry that started nearly in his own end zone. The Warriors lacked a passing touchdown, but scoring was capped off by a 36-yard touchdown as the quarter came to an end. That came from Grant Fallert dart and landed in the hands of Aiden Heberlie. Valle was ahead 36-0 by the start of the second.
The Warriors’ defense took care of all of the scoring in the second quarter, specifically, Tim Okenfuss. He scooped up two fumbles on back-to-back possessions and returned them both for touchdowns. The Warriors led 49-0 at the half.
After halftime, Valle’s work was nearly done. Brandon Giesler found the end zone and Noah Bauman returned an interception of his own for a touchdown. Valle secured its 9-0 record with a 63-0 win over Pius.
Giesler led the way with six carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Giesler and McClure each scored rushing touchdowns as well, and Heberlie caught one pass for a 36-yard touchdown. In an abbreviated effort, Fallert passed for 35 yards and a touchdown and ran for 38 yards. Overall, the offense wasn’t required to do too much in this one.
The defense was the story of the game. Friedman and Bauman both returned interceptions for touchdowns and Okenfuss recovered two fumbles for touchdowns as well. Okenfuss also led the team with seven tackles and three were tackles for a loss. Carson Tucker put together six tackles with three tackles for a loss., and Josh Bieser had five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Pius could only muster up a minuscule 24 yards of total offense.
To nobody’s surprise, Valle took care of business all throughout the regular season, but the real challenge is ahead. An undefeated regular season is simply a consolation prize to the ultimate goal. The Warriors have their eyes on a state title, and it’s going to take a special team took knock the Warriors off track.
They will have a first round bye in week one of the District Playoffs.
You can order your own 12×18 600th Win graphic print HERE
