Washingtonville defeated Valley Central on Friday night 37 - 34, after four 4th quarter lead changes. Nate Depew threw for over 170 yards and scored 5 touchdowns, 3 on the ground and 2 in the air. Randy Rosario was on the receiving end of both passing touchdowns.

Both teams got off to a fast start in their first possessions. Luke Pecovic got on the board first for the Wizards on a touchdown run, but Nate Depew responded with an 18-yard run of his own, making the score 7 - 7 early on.

However the kind of shootout like we saw in last week’s Cornwall - Pine Bush game was not part of Andrew LaVallie’s gameplan. Late in the first quarter LaVallie called a defensive timeout and called out his defense.
“For the past six games our defense hadn’t done much of anything,” said LaVallie. “Offensively we continue to score, but our defense just hadn’t stopped anything. I wanted to get in get in their heads early on, ‘hey we need to make a stop,’ and it showed at the end.”

Immediately after the timeout, the VC defense was about to sack Washingtonville quarterback Sean Allen, who made a great pass, under pressure, and got the Wizards to the red zone. Pecovic would add another touchdown shortly after, Wizards 14 - 7.

On the next few possessions turnovers would come up to haunt the Vikings and may have been the difference in the game. After Depew completed a 35 yard pass to Tyler Villani, Depew fumbled before they could finish the drive. The VC defense came up big though and the Wizards went three-and-out.

However on the next possession Randy Rosario fumbled the football for VC again. The Vikings defense held the Wizards to a field goal, making the score 17 - 7.

The Vikings were trying to get something going and in the 3rd quarter on a 4th and 11, they got the Wizards for a 10-yard penalty. LaVallie, who had the punt team on the field, then called for the offense for the 4th down and one. Rosario was held behind the line of scrimmage and wasn’t able to convert.

In the 4th quarter, Washingtonville added another touchdown to take a 24 - 7 lead. That is when something clicked for Valley Central though. On the next drive Depew connected with Villani for 45 yards and then Rosario for 20 yards to complete the touchdown, 24 - 14.

After the Wizards went three-and-out and punted the ball to the VC 45 yard line, Depew completed a one-play, 55 yard touchdown pass to Rosario, 24 - 21.

“We picked it up, which was good. At halftime we talked to the guys just about having heart and coming out and playing with some fire,” said LaVallie. “We came out and played with some fire.”

On the next drive, Valley Central linebacker Chase Toth forced a Washingtonville fumble and recovered, getting the Vikings the ball on the Wizards own 30. That wasn’t enough for Toth though as he promptly ran the ball 16 yards, inside the five yard line. Depew completed the drive for the Vikings, who took the lead 27 - 24, after fumbling the PAT.

LaVallie said of his defense, “It showed up all the way up until that last drive, a couple trick plays hurt us, but the defense that started the game was different than the defense that ended the game.”

Pecovic responded for the Wizards on a 35 yard run.

Another missed PAT made the score 30 - 27, Washingtonville.

Rosario returned the following kick 60 yards to the Wizards 20. Connor Fitzgibbons ran the ball 18 yards and Depew finished it off with a 2 yard touchdown run, for another 4th quarter lead change, 34 - 30 Vikings.
“I give credit to the whole entire team. The whole team works all week. The guys that play scout offense and scout defense; everybody’s working in the weight room,” said LaVallie. “Everybody’s a part of this team.”

Another Washingtonville fumble seemed to seal the game, but it was not to be. The Wizards kicked into their two-minute offense and got a 35 yard run from TJ Sndyer and then a 25 yard pass from Allen to Shawn Sanner. With 7 seconds left in the game Allen ran it in for a 1-yard touchdown. The final 4th quarter lead change gave Washingtonville the 37 - 34 victory.
The Vikings drop to 2-4 (1-4 Class AA) on the season. The Wizards improve to 3-3 (2-2 Class AA).

The Vikings host Middletown on Friday October 18 at 7 p.m., which will be their senior night.