Great Valley clobbers Sun Valley

East Whiteland >> The pouring rain, 40-degree temperatures and 17 mph wind gusts were just three more opponents Great Valley conquered as they rolled over Ches-Mont League American Division foe Sun Valley 42-21 at Valley Stadium on Friday night.

“What’s fun about coaching this young team is we’re still trying to find our identity,” Patriots coach Dan Ellis said. “Each week our team has improved and that’s what is important. I’m pleased to see we are getting better each game.”

After returning the opening kickoff to its own 25-yard line, Sun Valley’s quarterback Gabe Boccella dropped back to pass on 1st and 10 and was intercepted by Scott McAneney. The senior linebacker broke two tackles and returned it down to the Vanguards’ eight-yard line. Two plays later, running back Mark DeRobertis put the Patriots (2-0, 5-0) on the scoreboard when he punched it in from the three-yard line.

“Our coaching has really helped us. They’ve told us to be patient when we run and wait for our offensive line to set their blocks,” DeRobertis said. “I have to give everyone on my offense a lot of credit.”

The junior finished the night with 194 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

On their ensuing possession the Vanguards punted a meager nine yards due to the wind. It set up Great Valley’s second drive on its opponent’s 45-yard line. Their offense marched down the field in three minutes and made it 14-0 when Zach Tillett scored on a two-yard dive on the right side.

Sun Valley (0-2, 0-5) responded on its next possession. Sophomore running back Caliph Jones fueled the drive when he snapped off a 48-yard run down the right sideline to set up 1st and 10 on the Patriots’ 19-yard line. On the next play Charlie Wendling exploded around the left edge and cut their deficit to 14-7.

“The key to that drive was the long run,” Sun Valley’s coach Ray Gionta said. “That’s what made the drive and then we were able to break that run for the score. It was nice to see some of our stretch plays work. Great Valley has a great football team over there and I’m proud of the way our kids fought. We’re going to continue to work hard and improve.”

It was all Patriots for the remainder of the opening half. Tillett and Ryan Hubley each found the end zone to lock the halftime score at 28-7.

In the first half the Patriots collected 10 first downs, 128-rushing yards, and quarterback Robert Geiss went six for eight for 60 yards and a touchdown.

“Getting off to a good start is huge,” Geiss said. “Mark (DeRobertis) and Zach (Tillett) did a great job running the ball and they helped us jump out to that early lead.”

Things remained much of the same in the second half. DeRobertis collected his two other touchdowns and Bocella and Ryan Kester each scored for Sun Valley in the final two minutes.

Next Friday, Great Valley will travel to West Chester Rustin and Sun Valley will host Kennett.

GV – DeRobertis 3 run (Tashjian kick)

GV – Tillett 2 run (Tashjian kick)

SV – Wendling 19 run (Campbell kick)

GV – Hubley 9 pass from Geiss (Tashjian kick)

GV – Tillett 1 run (Tashjian kick)

GV – DeRobertis 56 run (Tashjian kick)

GV – DeRobertis 50 run (Tashjian kick)

SV – Kester 43 run (Campbell kick)

SV – Boccella 1 run (Campbell kick)

Sun ValleyGreat Valley

First downs 6 14

Rushes-yards 31-212 42-283

Passing 3-11-1 7-11-0

Passing yards 22 66

Total yards 234 349

Punts 5-25.6 2-25.3

Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-2

Penalties-yards 2-10 4-20

Rushing — Sun Valley: Kester 13-111, TD,  Jones 10-63, Gines 1-2, Kilgore 1-2, Wendling 3-27, TD, Boccella 3-7, TD. Great Valley: DeRobertis 21-194, 3TD, Geiss 6-34, Hubley 2-13, Tillett 8-26, 2TD, Crouse 3-10, N. Johnson 1-2, Giombetti 1-4.

Passing — Sun Valley: Boccella 3-11-1, 22 yds. Great Valley: Geiss 7-10, 66 yds, TD, Giombetti 0-1-0, 0 yds.

Receiving — Sun Valley: Gines 2-20, Jones 1-2. Great Valley: Hubley 3-30, TD, DeRobertis 1-14, Liberato 1-9, McAneney 1-7, Cionci 1-6.

Interceptions — Sun Valley: none. Great Valley: McAneney.

Sacks — Sun Valley: none. Great Valley: Ryan, Utecht.