Red Devils hang on to beat Foxes

Seser-Valier-Waltonville's Jayon Malone runs the ball against Hamilton County Friday night, while teammate Gavin Gunter gives a block.
BROOK WILLIAMS

BY BROOK WILLIAMS
Contributing photojournalist

updated: 10/5/2018 11:15 PM

In a game of not-so-good defense, but pretty good offense, the Sesser-Valier/Waltonville Red Devils football team was able to hold off Hamilton County with a 46-40 win on Friday night.
The game started with both teams going three and out. The Red Devils would find the end zone first with a 60-yard pass from Peyton Bates to Tanner Eubanks at the 6:01 mark of the first quarter. Jayon Malone scored on the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.
Hamilton County scored seven plays later, making the score 8-6 at the end of the first quarter.
SVW scored at the beginning of the second quarter to increase the advantage to 14-6. The Red Devils scored again on a halfback pass from Malone to Eubanks in the corner of the end zone, pushing the lead to 22-6.
Hamilton County bounced back with two more scores of its own before halftime, trimming its deficit to two at 22-20.
The Red Devils would be the first to score in the third quarter. Reid Basso connected with Logan Kirk for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Malone to Eubanks connection was good once more for the two-point conversion, upping the spread to 10 points at 30-20.
With 5:13 left in the third quarter, the Foxes scored to pull within four at 30-26.
SVW got the ball back, however Basso was intercepted at the 10-yard line of Hamilton County.
The visitors made the turnover hurt with a quick score to start the fourth quarter, and for the first time, took the lead at 32-30.
The Devils would have an answer of their own.
Bates connected with Eubanks for a 43-yard pass. Malone ran 17 yards into the end zone on the next possession, giving the Red Devils the lead back at 38-32 with 8:54 left in the game.
Hamilton County pushed the ball up the field and scored one more time with 3:39 remaining and converted the two-pointer for a 40-38 lead.
Again, the Red Devils responded.
Malone had a 25-yard run. A few plays later, he connect with Eubanks for a 23-yard touchdown pass.
Hamilton County had the ball with 1:39 left to play, but turned it over on downs.
SVW improves to 6-1 in the Black Diamond Conference. The win clinches a playoff berth for the team.
Next week, the Devils will travel to Vienna for a Saturday afternoon game.