VIKINGS REMAIN UNDEFEATED WITH WIN
By Marc Atwood
marcatwood@aol.com
 
(9/28/07 Chico, CA) The Pleasant Valley varsity football team pushed its overall record to 5-0 by taking a 35-21 win over Shasta in an Eastern Athletic League game played Friday at Asgard Yard.
 
The Vikings started a drive at the Wolves' 40-yard line with about nine minutes remaining in the first quarter after Shasta quarterback Brooks Beaudette threw an interception caught by Patrick Randolph. Pleasant Valley only gained three yards on its next two plays. Then on third down, Eric Hoffman threw an incomplete pass intended for Randolph. The drive ended on an incomplete pass intended for Sean Reynolds that Shasta defender Jordan Tucker broke up.
 
Cody McHargue's 44-yard gain on the Vikings' next possession set up a first down at the Wolves' 16-yard line. An encroachment penalty against the Wolves before the next play moved PV five yards closer. The drive ended with 49 seconds left in the first on McHargue's five-yard touchdown run. Augie Heath kicked the extra point to put the Vikings ahead 7-0.
 
Shasta opened up the second quarter with a 45-yard run by Evan Taylor that gave them a first down at the Pleasant Valley 35-yard line. On second and 10, Beaudette was sacked for a 13-yard loss by Brett McMurray. The drive ended on fourth and 9 when Beaudette threw an incomplete pass intended for Ryan Zurbier.
 
After the Vikings took over possession, McHargue went 77 yards for a touchdown. Heath made the extra point as PV extended its advantage to 14-0. It took the Vikings only 17 seconds to score again as Mycal Swaim picked off a pass intended for Zurbier and ran it in for a touchdown. Heath's extra point allowed Pleasant Valley to go up 21-0.
 
A 16-yard completion to McMurray with about nine minutes remaining in the third quarter gave the Vikings a first down at the Wolves' 46-yard line. On third and 7, Hoffman threw a 38-yard pass to Reynolds to set up a first and goal at the 5-yard line. On the next play, Brandon Nickas went the distance for a touchdown. Heath made the extra point as PV extended its advantage to 28-0.
 
Taylor responded by taking the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to open Shasta's next drive at the Vikings' 44-yard line. A 26-yard completion to Anthony Halbersma set up a first and goal at the 8-yard line. On the next play, Taylor ran his way into the end zone for the Wolves' first touchdown of the evening. Neil Byzick kicked the extra point as Shasta trailed 28-7.
 
The Wolves reclaimed the ball at the Pleasant Valley 45-yard line after Chase Ungaro recovered McHargue's fumble. Two plays later, Taylor's five-yard gain gave Shasta a first down at the 33-yard line. The drive ended with 2:40 left in the third when Mason Hatton plunged his way across the goal line. The extra point was added as the Wolves cut their deficit to 28-14.
 
After Seth Ott sacked Beaudette on fourth and 15, the Vikings took over possession at the Shasta 9-yard line with over four minutes left in the game. McMurray went on to catch an 11-yard touchdown pass on third down. Heath's extra point allowed PV to go up 35-14. The Wolves made one last attempt at getting a score as Halbersma caught a 20-yard pass for a first down at the Vikings' 48-yard line. They faced a third and 2, but Beaudette threw an incomplete pass. However, the drive ended on a long touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was good for the game's final tally.
 
Pleasant Valley's next game will be Friday, Oct. 5 when they travel to Enterprise, while Shasta will be at home next Friday taking on Oroville.