There were serious playoff implications for both the Pine Bush and Valley Central football teams on Friday night.

When the night ended it was the Bushmen who had the leg up as the Bushmen scored two third-quarter touchdowns in as many minutes to turn the tide on the Vikings in a 35-23 win over the Vikings at Valley Central High School in Montgomery.

“This is a pretty big win,” said Manny Hannon, who intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown and ran for another touchdown. “This keeps our playoff hopes alive. We’re just back to work tomorrow morning.”

The Bushmen entered the second half with a 14-10 lead, and they chewed nearly four minutes off the game clock in a drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown run by Plexico Brooks to give the Bushmen a 10-point lead.

The Vikings’ next offensive drive lasted only one play as Hannon intercepted a pass from Valley Central John Wentink and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Bushmen firm control with a 28-10 lead.

“That was a huge confidence booster for our offense, and our defense came out knowing we’ve got to get a stop and on the first play – boom – pick-six. Guys put a lot of trust in me, and I don’t like to disappoint them. It was a big momentum swing.”

The swing felt like a punch in the face on the Vikings’ sideline.

“The guys were still a little excited on the sideline but being down more than two scores at that point, they felt it,” Valley Central coach Andrew LaVallie said.

Julian Montrevil slowed Pine Bush’s momentum with a 9-yard touchdown run to cut the Bushmen’s lead to 28-17. Montrevil also had a touchdown run in the first quarter to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead at that time.

“We came in with a plan to run the ball behind our offensive line, who have been our best players,” LaVallie said. “They opened up holes for Julian Montrevil and John Wentink.”

That’s when the Valley Central defense got a stop to give themselves a chance to get back in the game, but Hannon made his second interception of the game, and then returned it to the Vikings’ 2-yard line.

“Manny knows what everybody’s supposed to be doing,” Pine Bush coach Rich Ormsby said. “That’s invaluable. He’s another coach on the field. It’s great having a leader like that on and off the field.”

He ran the ball into the end zone on the next play to give the Bushmen a 35-17 lead.

Valley Central’s Jayden Orozco scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Vikings.

After the Vikings took a 7-0 lead, Pine Bush quarterback Triston Santos hit Logan Hawley for a 53-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The Vikings took a 10-7 lead on a 23-yard field goal by James Joyce.

However, the Bushmen took the lead for good on a 20-yard touchdown run by Ruben Simpson.

“Our offensive coordinator Kyle Schneider does a fantastic job game planning every week,” Ormsby said. “He sits up in the booth and sees it really well. He makes the calls. I trust it.”

The Vikings came into the game needing a win to clinch a spot in the Class AA playoffs. However, with the loss, the Vikings would need to beat the Middletown Middies on October 27, and hope the Bushmen lose their next two league games to have a shot.

The Vikings have a non-league game on Friday on the road against the Monticello Panthers.

“We’re just going to have to look forward to next week,” LaVallie said. “We’ve got Monticello, and we’ll prepare for them and hope for a couple of teams to make some mistakes and help us out to make our way to the playoffs.”

The win puts the Bushmen in control of their own destiny with two league games remaining. Even if they lose Thursday’s game against the Middletown Middies, they will have a chance to clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Kingston Tigers on October 27 at home.

“We’re happy but we’re not satisfied,” Hannon said. “We’re going to enjoy this one tonight. We’re going to be happy, but we’re not satisfied with this one.”