10/10/2009 8:16:00 AM Chino Valley rolls past Dust Devils
Chino Valley defenders stop a Mohave Valley River Valley running back Daniel Chunning at CVHS on Friday. The host Cougars won 21-6.
Matt Santos/Courtesy of The Daily Courier
Box Score
Chino Valley 21, Mohave Valley River Valley 6
River Valley 0 0 6 0-6
Chino Valley 0 7 7 7-21
Second Quarter
Chino-Custodio 4 run (Zavos kick), 8:52.
Third Quarter
Chino-Milsap 86 kick return (Zavos kick), 11:48.
River Valley-Taylor 20 pass from Jolly (kick failed), 7:19.
CHINO VALLEY - With the early season struggles of the Chino Valley football team, it's easy to overlook how well the Cougar defense has played.
In Friday's Homecoming game against River Valley (2-5 overal, 1-2 region), the defense was rock solid again in a 21-6 victory.
A few mistakes by Chino (3-4, 3-2) kept the game close, but the "D" made a late stand and the offense put the game on ice.
"Our defense has played pretty awesome football all year," Chino Valley coach Bob David said. "With Wickenburg we had 120 yards of total offense. We struggled. We just couldn't make anything happen. The defense held a really good team to 21 points."
After Friday's game, the Cougars have allowed fewer than 15 points per game through seven contests. As the offense continues to get better, they can have some more wins to show for it.
It all starts with a young offensive line.
"When that offensive line is clicking, they mow 'em over," David said. "They push guys five, 10 yards back."
Leading 14-6 in the fourth quarter, the line paved the way for a 44-yard run by Ryan Middleton, setting up the clinching touchdown by Leon Baskerville.
"I just saw an open hole, great blocking from our line and that's all it took," Middleton said of his scamper down the left sideline.
The senior captain and Homecoming king had fumbled twice earlier the game. One of them gave River Valley the ball at the Chino 21 and led to the only score on the night for the Dust Devils.
"I got two fumbles and hadn't fumbled all year," Middleton said. "But I came back strong and we did a great job."
David also said those will probably be the last two Middleton will ever have.
"The kids showed some toughness and some perseverance tonight," David said. "We made some mistakes and we kept them in the game with it. Ryan had a couple fumbles and that just doesn't happen with him. He's been my horse and he's still my horse."
Middleton also made a key tackle for a loss on a third down play as the Dust Devils were trying to drive for the tie.
Baskerville fumbled a punt return, but later added the touchdown run. Josh Custodio threw an early interception, but made a couple big third down conversions afterwards.
And the defense covered for everything else, holding River Valley to 165 yards of offense. Dust Devil running back Robert Cooper had been averaging 125 yards rushing per game coming in, but they held him to a season low 17.
"We just need to continue to get better," David said. "We played better tonight with the mistakes. The mistakes were the only big negative and we overcame them. Probably three or for weeks ago those mistakes take us out of a ballgame and cost us a ballgame."
Not only are they getting better, but they are getting healthier and more experienced.
"We're a young team so those first games were pretty tough," said Middleton, one of six seniors on the team. "We've gotten better throughout the year so we'll do good the rest of the season."
Despite an 0-3 start, the postseason prospects look good for Chino.
"We're trying to make it into the playoffs," David said. "Hopefully we belong there and have a chance when we get there."
GAME BALL
Chino Valley defense. The Cougars only allowed 165 yards of total offense. Without a short field after a turnover, they may have pitched the shutout.
