Photos by Morgen Orr Dreher's Ardamian Player breaks through the tackle of Midland Valley's Marquett Carr. The Midland Valley Mustangs scored on their first possession of each half to outpace Dreher 14- 3 on October 10 at Memorial Stadium. The Blue Devils' homecoming celebration was dampened as the Mustangs controlled the ball and the clock for most of the game.

With a long return by Jesse Scott on the opening kickoff, Midland Valley found itself starting the game inside the 30- yard line of the Blue Devils. With a spread offense and shotgun formation, the Mustangs opened up the field but mostly ran the ball. Draws and delays kept the Dreher defense off balance and overexposed due to the three and four wide receiver formations. Scott plowed through the line for a one- yard touchdown run just three minutes into the game for an early 7- 0 lead for the visitors.

On the first drive of the second quarter, the Blue Devils finally found some running room. Running repeatedly to the right side behind linemen Michael Bell and Vaughn Volious and tight end Jabril Williams, tailbacks Leonard Kennedy, Ardamian Player, and Devante Sims powered Dreher downfield. Dreher's drive stalled at the 12- yard line and Kurt Stoudenmire drilled a 29- yard field goal to bring the score to 7- 3.

2008 Dreher homecoming queen Chapman Green and her escort, Dreher soccer star Byron Quinatoa. Dreher was unable to capitalize on the success of the previous drive when they got the ball back, fumbling it away to Midland Valley with three minutes left in the half. But the Blue Devil defense toughened up and forced the Mustangs to try a 38- yard field goal just before half time. The kick sailed left of the uprights, leaving a 7- 3 score.

With some momentum and the ball to start the second half, Dreher looked poised to get back into the game. Unfortunately, a fumble on the very first play from scrimmage was recovered by the Mustangs at the Dreher 28- yard line. Midland Valley quarterback Cameron Epting took immediate advantage with quick screen passes to Scott and Shane Romero. Epting scampered in for a two- yard touchdown run but was called back due to a holding penalty. A Dreher pass interference penalty, however, gave the Mustangs the ball on the one- yard line with a first down. Epting calmly used a quarterback sneak to again cross the goal line and give Midland Valley a 14- 3 lead.

The Mustangs threatened again late in the third quarter but Jackson Edwards batted down a fourth down pass from the 20- yard line to keep the Blue Devils in the game.

The next six consecutive possessions between the two teams resulted in punts. Dreher did fake a punt with Stoudenmire running for a first down midway through the fourth, but the drive did not make it to another first down and Dreher was forced to punt again.

Epting effectively ended the game for the Mustangs with 35 seconds to play when he sprinted out for a 15 yard run on third down, running out the rest of Dreher's time.