HAMMER TIME
Scott, Vikings open with punishing effort to edge Dwenger
Last season, Valparaiso saw its season come to a close on its home field. And senior lineman Ben Scott would not forget it.
“I can’t believe how many nightmares I’ve had about that game,” Scott said.
The point was made to protect the Vikings’ home field, and it showed on the opening drive of Friday’s Class 5A semistate against Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.
Behind the 6-foot-6, 330pound Scott, the Vikings put together a 13-play, 73yard drive that spanned 6:30 before junior running back Tommy Burbee applied the punctuation mark with a 1-yard touchdown.
Burbee totaled 115 yards and sophomore Hayden Vinyard added 83 as the Vikings rushed for 210 yards in a 10-7 win, clinching their first appearance in the state championship game in 18 years.
“Every game we try to come out and set the tone as much as possible,” Scott said. “We try to come out and smack the other team in the mouth, and I think we did it this time.
“That drive was the pinnacle of what playing on this field means to me. Hitting the other team as hard as possible and starting that drive really hard like that, that was the best feeling in the world.”
It definitely erased last year’s 14-10 loss to Carmel.
“I thought we’d be able to come out and run,” Scott said. “(Dwenger) had big guys up front, and we had to practice hitting and driving. We hit the sleds after almost every practice. That was great stuff.”
Valparaiso (13-0) will play at 6 p.m. Friday against No. 1 New Palestine (13-0) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Burbee broke free for 35 yards on seven carries on an opening drive that included 11 runs by the Vikings for 61 yards.
Liam Shepherd’s 36-yard field goal in the second quarter proved to be the difference-maker.
“We talked about that opening drive in the locker room — we knew it was going to be all heart,” Burbee said. “It was nice to take the wind out of them and halt their momentum from even starting.
“After last year, I really wanted to help these seniors out and get them what they wanted.”
On a line bookended by Scott and the 6-6, 300pound John Hofer, Burbee praised the work of interior linemen Matthew Olson, Krayton Schenk, Michael Boone and Tommy Stalmah.
“That line has the tightest bond I’ve ever seen in my life,” Burbee said. “I’m glad to share this with them.”
While Marshall and his team reveled in the moment, attention will shortly turn to New Palestine, the defending 5A state champion.
“To go ahead and win one on our home field makes it much more important, much sweeter because of the stands and the community around us,” Marshall said. “It’s all about the kids. They’ve been through so much.
“To see them on the high end on the road down to state, that’s what it’s all about. We’ll enjoy this for maybe 20 minutes and then we have to go try to stop (New Palestine running back) Charlie Spegal.”
CJ Peters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.