SMETHPORT, Pa. (EYT/D9) — The Redbank Valley football team found itself facing some early adversity.
The Bulldogs committed two turnovers deep inside Smethport territory, one turned into a 93-yard interception return for a touchdowns Redbank entered the second quarter locked in a 7-7 tie against the host Hubbers.
Then, the Bulldogs settled down.
Big time.
(Pictured above, Redbank Valley senior Mason Clouse scored three touchdowns in the win over Smethport on Friday night/photo by Madison McFarland)
Redbank Valley scored 50 points in the second quarter to take a 57-7 lead into the half on the way to a 71-7 win over Smethport to open up the season on Friday night.
“The first quarter, we couldn’t have played much worse,” said Redbank Valley coach Blane Gold. “There was a lot of sloppy, sloppy stuff, but I was proud of the way they faced adversity and overcame it.”
Redbank Valley, Keystone, and Union/A-C Valley sports coverage on Explore and D9Sports.com is brought to you by Heeter Lumber.
Redbank Valley found itself down 7-0 when Owen Rounsville picked off a pass by Braylon Wagner at the Smethport 7 and sprinted 93 yards the other way for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs then lost a fumble inside the 5 before tying the game at 7-7 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Wagner to Mason clouse.
Then the flood gates opened in the second.
Wagner scored on a 2-yard TD run. Clouse returned an interception for a touchdown. Drew Byers scored on a 3-yard run. Then sophomore Jaxon Huffman got his own pick-6. Wagner then threw TD passes Ashton George, Clouse and Rylan Rupp and the Bulldogs went into the half up 57-7.
After a 50-point explosion in 12 minutes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of something like that,” Gold said. “I don’t know if I’ve even broken 70. The JVs played the entire second half and we tell our JVs, when you’re in, you play. When you don’t play, that’s when someone gets hurt. Obviously, our goal wasn’t to get to 70, but I was proud of the effort of our JVs against their JVs. They did score twice. I’ve never been a part of 70, so it’s safe to say I’ve never been a part of 50 in one quarter.”
Redbank outgained Smethport 477-86 and the defense forced five Hubber turnovers.
Wagner was 14 of 18 for 273 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing score.
Clouse caught five passes for 104 yards and two TDs to go with his 45-yard interception return for a score.
“We know Mason’s special,” Gold said. “He’s a guy who’s kind of been in the shadows of guys like Chris Marshall and Marquese Gardlock and Tate Minich and Aiden Ortz. Tonight he showed just how amazing he is.”
Huffman also had a grand debut after missing all of last season with a back injury.
“Last year we lost him in camp,” Gold said. “He was a player who would have contributed last year, so it was good to see him jump in and contribute.”
Redbank has a challenge on tap next week at Karns City.
There will be no resting on this win and that big second quarter.
“We have practice tomorrow at 10 a.m.,” Gold said. “We’ll hop on the film, we’ll get some movement in and we’ll get ready for a tough opponent in Karns City next week.”
Redbank Valley, Keystone, and Union/A-C Valley sports coverage on Explore and D9Sports.com is brought to you by Heeter Lumber.
