Indian Valley hands Big Red its first loss
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GNADENHUTTEN -- Indian Valley couldn't have started Friday night much worse.
The Braves fumbled the opening kickoff, immediately giving undefeated Steubenville an opportunity to grab control of the game.
Indian Valley's defense made sure it didn't happen.
The Braves forced a punt, responded with a 98-yard touchdown drive and never looked back, rolling to a 41-13 victory over Steubenville.
"Tonight's environment was crazy," senior quarterback Ryker Williams said. "We all looked forward to this game, and the fans had our backs from the kickoff and were huge for us tonight."
After the defense erased the opening turnover, Indian Valley marched 98 yards to take a 7-0 lead.
Then Williams made sure the momentum stayed with the Braves.
On Steubenville's first play after the ensuing kickoff, Williams stepped into a passing lane, intercepted the ball and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.
Just like that, Indian Valley had turned a potentially disastrous start into a two-touchdown advantage.
"My coaches and I knew that formation," Williams said. "I was in the right place at the right time and was able to make a big play. It was something we practiced and saw all week."
For Williams, the opening fumble may have actually helped set the tone for the Braves' defense.
"It allowed our defense to get out there and execute the game plan," he said. "It showed that we were capable of going out there and shutting them down whenever we needed to."
Indian Valley coach Matt Lancaster certainly didn't draw up the start that way, but he was pleased with how his team responded to its first challenge of the night.
"We put our defense in a bad spot a couple of times tonight," Lancaster said. "It was the first test of adversity for them, and they all stepped up when we needed them the most."
Lancaster and his staff have stressed to the Braves not to make any game bigger than it needs to be. Against a physical Steubenville team, the message remained the same.
"We know that they are a very physical team," Lancaster said. "All we wanted from our guys was to go out there and match their energy and physicality, and they did."
Now, Lancaster wants to make sure a statement victory doesn't change his team's approach moving forward.
"This can be a huge confidence boost for us," he said. "Games like this can be a measuring stick on how good you can be. We preach humility, and I hope our kids stay humble and keep working."
For Williams, Friday night's performance provided another piece of evidence that the Braves can line up against high-level competition and hold their own.
"They're a top team in their division," Williams said. "Tonight shows us and everyone on our schedule that we can compete with them."