Valencia still leads, but Newbury Park is getting closer

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Despite getting hit with a costly interception return on the final play of the first half, Newbury Park has been the better team through the opening minutes of the third quarter.

After a 35-yard run by RB Chris Brown, WR Phillip Muscarella caught his second TD pass of the night, this time on a 38-yard bomb from QB Colby Cameron. However, Valencia blocked the extra point, so the Vikings still lead, 21-20 at the end of the third quarter.

Newbury Park, though, could be enjoying a TD lead right now had it not been for a couple of costly interceptions. Valencia’s Marlon Pollard intercepted a Cameron pass in the end zone and Dominick Solley intercepted another pass in the red zone. The Vikings have three interceptions and Newbury Park has three, including two by LB Chance Flaaten.

Also, I’ve been impressed by the way the Panthers have played, even though they’ve been without star RB Chris Brown most of the second half. Brown left the game early in the third quarter with what appears to be a right ankle injury and hasn’t returned.

-- Austin Knoblauch