Happy Valley looked to spoil South Greene’s perfect season, but the Rebels had other plans.
The Warriors were unable to rally past South Greene in a 35-28 decision in a championship battle on Warrior Hill Friday night.
Happy Valley finished the regular season with a 5-3 mark and will travel to Rockwood next Friday night to open the playoffs.
It was a heavyweight clash from the opening kick.
South Greene got on the board first as Luke Myers scored on a two-yard run – a score that was set-up by a 39-yard run earlier by Myers. The first Happy Valley drive of the night saw the Rebels hold strong inside their own 10.
The Warriors defense, however, came up big on the ensuing possession as they forced and recovered an SG fumble. That set-up an impressive drive that saw Matthew Bahn score on a four-yard run, but the extra point was unsuccessful as SG held a 7-6 lead.
A late second-quarter touchdown by Myers gave South Greene a 14-6 advantage at the half.
Happy Valley came out of the gate quickly to open the third quarter.
The Warriors took the opening drive of the half 55 yards and evened the score with an 11-yard touchdown and two-point conversion by Matthew Bahn. Eli Ayers had a key run on the drive to help set-up the score.
The Warriors defense forced a punt, but it was the Rebel’s turn to force a turnover.
Myers hit Clint Lamb for an 18-yard touchdown as SG quickly took advantage of the miscue, and another Rebel score late in the quarter gave South Greene a 28-14 lead after three complete quarters.
Happy Valley, however, continued to fight.
The Warriors struck in the opening minute of the fourth quarter as a halfback pass from Bahn to Andrew Little scored a 70-yard touchdown.
Myers and the Rebels answered on the next drive, but Happy Valley used an impressive drive that ended when Ayers hit Little for an 11-yard touchdown to close the gap.
However, the Rebels were able to secure the win by running out the clock with a pair of first downs.
Bahn finished with 190 offensive yards – 109 yards rushing on 27 carries with 82 yards receiving on two catches. Ayers was 8-of-17 passing for 61 yards, while Landon Babb finished with 32 yards.
Myers had 15 carries for 180 yards to pace the Rebels.
