WYOMING 28, VALLEY VIEW 18

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Hall, Cowboys knock off No. 1

Saturday, November 21, 1998

BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Richard Hall scored 3 TD's, but this wasn't one of them. The referee rule the ball didn't cross the goal line (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

HAMILTON, Ohio - The longest winning streak in Ohio came to an abrupt ending Friday night courtesy of the Wyoming Cowboys.

Three touchdowns by Richard Hall carried the Cowboys to a 28-18 upset over the Valley View Spartans in the Division IV regional championship game at Virgil Schwarm Stadium.

The setback ended two-time defending state champion Valley View's 39-game winning streak dating to 1995. It was also only the Spartans' second loss in the past 86 games.

"I was told that the Valley View coach (Jay Niswonger) said this week that there were two better running backs than me in the league they played in," said Hall, who rushed for 289 yards on 40 carries.

"Tonight we wanted to prove we had the best offensive line and best offensive back in the state. I don't think there's any doubt" Hall now has 2,655 yards rushing this season, 201 yards short of the single-season state record of 2,856 set by Ryan Brewer of Troy this season.

Holding only a three-point lead of 21-18 in the fourth quarter, Hall clinched the victory for the Cowboys with one of the most electrifying runs of his career.

Taking a handoff from quarterback Kyle Lewis, Hall broke to his right and was hit. He bounced off and came left and was hit again. After breaking three more tackles, Hall broke into the clear, scoring from 44 yards out.

"I told Richard (Hall) and Matt (Mefford) before the game that great players make great plays in big games," Wyoming coach Bernie Barre said. "Tonight these two seniors came up big."

Mefford not only played outstanding defense for the Cowboys but also scored his first career touchdown, recovering a fumble in the end zone for the score that put the Cowboys up 14-10 in the second quarter. They never trailed from there.

"I saw Dan Deering hit the quarterback and the ball come loose," Mefford said. "My eyes got as big as meatballs, and I jumped on top of it. It was my first high school touchdown."

The play seemed to light a fire under the defense that held the Spartans on the next three series. Hall then took over, scoring from 30 yards out with 2:06 remaining before halftime.

About the only mistake Wyoming made in the first half came after Hall scored on a seven-yard run in the first quarter, enabling the Cowboys to take a 7-3 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Valley View's Jason Rieger took a lateral from brother Jordan, and raced 90 yards before being tackled on the Cowboy three. Two plays later Ryan Boyer was in the end zone and the Spartans led 10-7.

"You can't win a state championship when you don't execute or hang onto the ball," Niswonger said. "We didn't do what we needed to do in the first half."

Valley View came out in the third quarter a different team. The Spartans scored on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Bryan Newell to Ryan Boyer for the TD with 4:43 remaining.

A two-point conversion pass from Newell to Jason Rieger brought Valley View within three at 21-18.

Although Wyoming's offense failed to move the ball effectively in the third quarter, it managed four first downs while the Cowboys defense didn't allow Valley View the big play.

"Tonight we used a theme from Woody Hayes," an elated Barre said. "Woody said it's only an upset if a team doesn't believe it can win. We believed all week we could do it, and that's why this wasn't an upset."

Hall also gave credit to Scott Cryder, an offensive lineman who moved into the starting fullback position for the first time this season.

"Scott's the type of kid who gives you 110 percent on every play," Hall said. "Tonight he was out there blocking for me, and it made my job much easier."

Niswonger came away a believer that Hall is an outstanding back. "He's a great back," Niswonger said. "We started doing what we we're capable of doing in the second half, but then Hall broke the long one which took us out of the game."

The regional championship was Wyoming's first in 21 years and moved the Cowboys into the state semifinals for the third time in the history of the school.

The Cowboys won the state title in 1977 and were runners-up in 1975 when Bob Lewis was the coach. Lewis' son, Kyle, is the starting quarterback for Wyoming. He completed six of 11 passes for 90 yards.

Wyoming 7 14 0 7-28
Valley View 10 0 8 0-18

V-Frizzell 26 field goal
W-Hall 7 run (Kaszubski kick)
V-Boyer 3 run (Frizzell kick)
W-Mefford recovered fumble in end zone (Kaszubski kick)
W-Hall 30 run (Kaszubski kick)
V-Boyer 11 pass from Newell (Rieger pass from Newell)
W-Hall 44 run (Kazubski kick)
Records: VV 11-1, W 11-1.