VView gets ‘Mercy rule’ win over Mustangs
Valley View’s second 5A-East conference victory proved to be just as easy as the first.
Meanwhile, Forrest City's defense played "energized" football while the Mustang offense looked more than uncomfortable in the game.
The Blazers scored all of their points in the first half for the second consecutive week on the way to a 37-0 "mercy rule" rout of Forrest City in a game played at Central Dealerships Stadium.
Valley View, coming off a 35-6 opening conference win over Paragould last week, earned its fourth consecutive victory while starting 5A-East play 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season.
Friday night’s victory also marked the Blazers’ first shutout since a 39-0 victory over Greene County Tech in 2019 and the fifth consecutive conference victory over Forrest City (1-4, 0-2 conference).
The Blazers (4-1, 2-0 conference) opened the scoring with a safety when the Mustangs, setting up to punt, had a bad snap with the ball sailing out of the back of the endzone with 5:17 left in the first quarter giving the Blazers a gift 2-0 lead.
Cooper Lutz capped a sevenplay, 51-yard scoring drive with a four-yard run, followed by Jose Mendoza’s extra point for a 9-0 Valley View lead to end the first quarter.
Valley View scored 28 points in what proved to be a very production second quarter, starting with Jay Morman’s oneyard touchdown run at the 7:56 mark and Mendoza's PAT to cap the four play, 40-yard drive and a 16-0 lead. Carson Turley fired a 35yard touchdown pass to Reid Tyler 36 seconds later covering 41 yards in just two plays for a 23-0 lead after the PAT.
Carson Winters returned an interception 60 yards for a pick six touchdown with 4:53 left in the second quarter, giving the Blazers a defensive touchdown for the third consecutive week and a 30-0 cushion.
Valley View closed the scoring on Layne Raines’ five-yard run with eight seconds remaining in the half pushing the lead to 37-0 at the half while ushering in the "Turbo Clock Rule."
The Blazers forced four turnovers while holding the Mustangs to just seven first half yards and 49 total yards for the game. While Valley View picked up eight first downs in the opening half, the Mustangs picked up their first, first down of the game with 3:50 left in the third quarter by way of a Valley View penalty.
The Mustangs used three different quarterbacks in the game, Trevon Gordon, Aiden Boyd and Dominique Sinclair and were held to zero yards on 16 first half carries.
Valley View finished with 238 total yards. Turley was 5-of-7 passing for 108 yards and a touchdown, with Tyler catching two passes for 70 yards and a score.
Cameron Davidson led Valley View in rushing with 42 yards on seven carries, followed by Turley with 28 on nine attempts.
The Blazers visit Wynne (4-1, 20 conference) next Friday. The Yellowjackets also won their fourth consecutive game Friday night, winning 32-10 at GCT.
Forrest City will host Batesville Friday for the school's annual homecoming game.
The Mustangs are 2-8 over the past 10 games against Batesville. The Pioneers defeated Paragould 37-0 on Friday.