Vikings run into the playoffs
Spring Valley 31
Richland Northeast 7
Story and Photos By Mike MaddockMike@TheColumbiaStar.com

RNEQB Gary Gray (l) goes to pitch the football prior to taking a hit from Brandon Weedon (90). Tim Green(8) chases the play from the backside. Green had ten tackles (five for loss), three sacks, a fumble recovery, and a QB hurry. Weedon had two tackles.

Sometimes the game of football can be pretty simple for one team and incredibly frustrating for another. Richland Northeast head coach Jay Frye and his defensive coordinator Ryan Kendall knew Spring Valley head coach Jimmy Noonan's offensive game plan wasn't very complicated - run Lyndon Ingram left, right, and up the middle. The frustrating part was stopping Ingram.

Noonan called Ingram's number 33 times, but Frye's defense had no answer. The senior workhorse rushed 33 times for 212 yards and four touchdowns, leading his Vikings to 31-7 victory over the Cavaliers and a first round playoff match-up at home against Rock Hill.

Ingram has produced all year for Noonan averaging 28 rushes, 191 yards, and just over two touchdowns per game. Of course it helps to run behind three Division I prospects in Mason Cloy, a Clemson commitment, Quinton Richardson, a South Carolina commitment, and Kyle Fischer who Jay Frye called possibly the biggest high school football player he's ever seen. The three combined for 28 knock down blocks and graded out at 93%, 91%, and 91% respectively. Fischer's 14 knock down blocks broke Leon Hart's single season record.

Viking QB Michael Rodriquez (15 ) hands off to running back Lyndon Ingram for a big gain. Ingram rushed 212 yards and four touchdowns. Rodriquez rushed for 44 yards and passed for 38.

Jay Frye said he's not sure his defense could have matched up well even without all the injuries his team has suffered.

Speaking of defense...

The Vikings sacked RNE quarterbacks five times, and only allowed the Cavalier ground attack, which had averaged 270 yards per game, 115 net yards. Spring Valley linebacker Tim Green had ten tackles including five for loss, three sacks, a QB hurry, and a fumble recovery. John Glaspie added 13 tackles, and Rashad Bailey added two more sacks. Norman Washington had a drive killing interception in the end zone for the Vikings just before half time when RNE receiver Mark Barnes tried to tip an under thrown pass away from a Viking defender, but it fell into Washington's arms.

RNE varsity cheerleader Barnwell Cromer.

The Vikings play host to Rock Hill in the first round of the Upper State bracket of the Division I playoffs November 10.

Clemson assistant coach Brad Scott enjoys watching Tiger recruit Mason Cloy from the sidelines. Spring Valley varsity cheerleaders (l-r) Margaret Curtis and Shelly Smith.