For the first time in a long while, the Valley Regional/Old Lyme football team hosted unfamiliar opponent Avon on the balmy night of Oct. 4 on Kelsey Hill. Looking to defend their unblemished record, the Warriors knew they would have their hands full with Avon, which boasts a tight team and some of the best players in the state. After jumping out to an early lead, Valley was able to edge Avon 21-18 thanks in part to special teams getting the job done.

“It was one of those games were so happy to get the victory,” said Coach Tim King, whose team is now 3-0. “We didn’t play real well and made a lot of mistakes and gave up a lot of plays, but we were able to get the plays done. Special teams with their three points was huge, especially considering Avon didn’t make their extra points. We try to stress how important special teams is.”

The Warriors jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Quarterback Phil Cohen (6-for-14 for 95 yards and 2 TD) first threw a 68-yard pass to Dave Peck and then a 5-yarder to Peck again within minutes, with Jared Roache kicking both extra points. Avon came back and scored six in the second quarter, but missed the extra point, putting the game at 14-6.. It was also during that first half that Valley scored two touchdowns that were called back due to penalities, beginning the penalty nightmare that plagued the Warriors all night. Before the half was through, Justin Cheverier (7 carries for 47 yards and a TD) put Valley up 21-6 on a 1-yard run for the TD, giving the Warriors a solid cushion before the break.

Avon came out fighting in the second half, completing a 44-yard pass almost right away and attempted two, but missed it and the run failed. Then with about 20 minutes left in the game, Avon scored on a 60-yard pass after some broken Valley tackles and sloppy play and Avon came within three with the score 21-18. It was then that Jack Giangrande made possibly the game-saving play on defense after he blocked Avon’s extra-point kick that would’ve put them within two and given them the opportunity the win it with a field goal. And with 1:15 left to play, Avon tried to onside kick and tie it, but Cheverier recovered the ball and the Warriors covered them up and ran the clock for the victory.

“We played a great first half, then the penalities killed us,” said King, whose squad racked up close to 15 penalities. “Avon made the playoffs last year and they’re expected to get there again this year. They have a heck of a player in Jimmy Murphy—he’s known as a top player and he’s the real deal and we have the utmost respect for him. His motor never stops. We did a great job against him and quarterback Noah Hahn [280 yards passing with 3 TD], but then all of a sudden, the penalties started mounting. Our first play was a bomb to Peck and he caught it inbounds and stepped out, but the refs called it out. It was clear as day on film that he stayed in. It was that kind of night.”