Execution in all facets lifts Arbor View over Spring Valley

Arbor View football team’s goal Thursday night was to make a statement by dominating in all facets of the game from wire to wire.

Behind an all-around effort — on offense, defense and special teams — the Aggies’ mission was accomplished with a 62-18 rout of Spring Valley at home in the Sunset Region quarterfinals, while a message was sent to Arbor View’s next opponent, Northwest League rival Legacy.

“We wanted to come out and end the game early, that’s what we want to do every week,” said Arbor View running back Deago Stubbs, who tallied 158 offensive yards and scored three touchdowns in the blowout win. “We tried to make a statement tonight to Legacy, and after that, hopefully we can make a statement to (Bishop) Gorman.”

Arbor View, the Northwest League’s No. 1 seed, used its double-wing offense to rumble for 370 yards on the ground, and tacked on an additional 80 yards passing. The Aggies (9-1) outgained Spring Valley, which came in as the Southwest League’s No. 4 seed, 450-271.

Jaquari Hannie led Arbor View’s rushing game with 114 yards on just five carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run as time expired in the first half. Quarterback Hayden Bollinger completed 4 of 9 pass attempts for 80 yards, including two TD strikes to Stubbs, who finished with 78 yards rushing and 80 receiving.

Running backs Lorenzo Mationg, DeKarri Gunn, Andrew Wagner and Niles Scafati also scored rushing touchdowns for the Aggies.

“I think what we do is stay the course,” Arbor View coach Dan Barnson said. “The kids know we try to keep everything the same. As coaches, we have to set the tone and keep them focused no matter who we’re playing,”

And while the offense helped the Aggies to a 21-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the game, the defense stymied Spring Valley (4-6), keeping the pressure on quarterback K.C. Moore. The Grizzlies ran the ball just twice in the second half and finished with 59 yards on 11 rushing attempts.

“We have one of the most physical defenses in the division, so our main focus is to shut the (opponent) down every week; make a statement every week and just come harder and better every single play,” Arbor View linebacker Nick Stevenson said. “The big thing this week was not overlooking Spring Valley and preparation. Keep doing what we do every week and get better and better.”

After Bollinger found Stubbs for a 28-yard TD reception three plays into the second half, Stevenson’s blistering hit on the ensuing kickoff ignited the Aggies defense. Stevenson was in on two of the next three stops, as the Grizzlies were forced to punt.

Moore misfired on 14 of his first 17 pass attempts, including an interception by Wagner in the end zone. Moore finished 20-for-51 for 212 yards.

As for special teams, place-kicker Carter Andrade was perfect in hitting all eight of his extra-point attempts, and he was 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts, including a 40-yarder.

The Aggies will host third-seed Legacy (8-2) on Nov. 18 in the second round of the playoffs. Arbor View defeated the Longhorns 55-21 during the regular season.