Valencia’s Methodical Approach and Execution Trample Troy, 47-6

Valencia High School, traditionally a blue-collar football team, continued its methodical pace Thursday night. Facing little resistence, the Tigers remained unbeaten with a 47-6 victory over Troy at Valencia.

It was your typical Valencia game, nothing fancy and few risks. As in their previous victory over El Dorado, the Tigers (4-0) ran left, ran right and ran over the Warriors.

Valencia had 317 yards rushing, including 100-yard games from Ryan Roskelly and Willie Barnes. The Tiger defense was stifling, allowing 20 yards rushing and 148 total yards.

“Execution-wise, this was our best game,” Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo said. “The line did a good job and our running backs ran well.”

For the most part, the running game was typical of Valencia football over the past 10 years. Running backs followed their blocking, waiting until the last second before cutting up-field.

Roskelly worked that routine to perfection and finished with 132 yards and one touchdown.

It was Barnes, however, the team’s third running back, who brought some excitement to the Tigers’ offense. He finished with 116 yards in 10 carries and scored three touchdowns, including runs of 30 and 36 yards.

Barnes, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound junior, has provided a promising glimpse of the future for the Tigers this season.

Although his time has been limited and he lacks experience, Barnes has gained 239 yards this season. Even more impressive is the fact he has scored six touchdowns in only 21 carries, or one every 3 1/2 carries.

Barnes saw more time in the backfield Thursday because of an injury to John Fewell, the Tigers’ leading rusher. Fewell played sparingly and gained 28 yards.

Enter Barnes, who made the most of the opportunity. On his second carry, he bolted up the middle on a draw play, then left two Troy defensive backs standing flat for a 30-yard touchdown run.

Barnes also scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter, as the Tigers built a 24-6 halftime lead.

“It’s nice to have three backs who can do the job,” Marrujo said. “But Willie is young and we’re trying to bring him along slowly.”

That plan could become obsolete if Barnes continues to improve. Thursday was his first 100-yard game, which was filled with impressive runs.

In the second quarter, he left two linebackers waving at air for a 13-yard gain. In the third quarter, Barnes dragged four Troy defenders for a nine-yard gain.

And to top off his night, Barnes burst through a big hole and sprinted past the Warrior secondary for a 36-yard touchdown run on his final carry in the fourth quarter.

“I don’t mind coming off the bench,” Barnes said. “John and Ryan are good backs. I just try to make the most of my time in the game.”

While Barnes and Roskelly were shredding the Warrior defense, the Tiger defense was giving up little.

Troy (2-2) did not have a first down until the final two minutes of the first half.