'Our kids didn't panic' | Indian Valley holds off Garaway in Week 8
· Yahoo Sports
Indian Valley faced adversity early and late Friday night, but the Braves found a way to respond when it mattered most.
After falling behind 6-0 against Garaway, Indian Valley answered with 28 straight points to take control of the game before holding off a late Pirates comeback for a 28-21 high school football victory.
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Garaway came out strong, using its rushing attack to move the chains and keep Indian Valley’s offense off the field.
“They came out and played hard,” Indian Valley coach Matt Lancaster said. “Their running back ran hard. Their line did a great job up front. They put it on us early and put us in a hole.”
Despite the early deficit, Lancaster said his team’s experience in difficult situations helped the Braves remain composed.
“It’s not the first time we’ve been there this year,” Lancaster said. “Our kids didn’t panic. We’ve been in big-time situations. Our kids just responded and came back.”
After Indian Valley built a 28-6 advantage, Garaway responded with 15 unanswered points to make things interesting down the stretch.
Lancaster credited the Pirates’ rushing attack while also pointing to missed tackles and untimely penalties that allowed Garaway to extend drives.
“They went back to running the ball, and their running back was breaking tackles,” Lancaster said. “We weren’t doing a very good job of getting them to the ground.”
One player who continued to make his presence felt was Indian Valley’s Ryker Williams, who contributed on both sides of the ball.
Despite a fumble near the goal line, Williams responded with defensive plays, including a strip sack.
“His poise and his competitiveness,” Lancaster said of what stands out about Williams. “He’s an ultra competitor. He hates to lose, and he does anything we ask him to do.”
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Lancaster said the Braves’ focus remains on continuing to improve and preparing for the postseason.
That includes building depth and learning from situations like Friday night’s late comeback attempt.
Lancaster said executing the hands team on an onside kick and the no-huddle defense provided valuable experience for younger players.
“It’s good to get some live practice at it,” Lancaster said.
For Lancaster, the victory was another opportunity for his team to learn how to handle adversity.
“This game’s all about learning how to deal with adversity and translating that into dealing with life’s adversity,” Lancaster said. “Garaway put us in some adverse situations, but our kids responded and came out on top in the end. That’s what it’s all about.”
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This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: 'Our kids didn't panic' | Indian Valley holds off Garaway in Week 8