Great Valley secures shootout victory over Sun Valley

By Barry Sankey
For Digital First Media

EAST WHITELAND — The Great Valley football team experienced some tough luck in recent weeks.
But on Friday night, the Patriots got some breaks to go their way as they celebrated Senior Night with a wild 49-41 shootout victory over Sun Valley at Valley Stadium.
“This was nice to see,” said Great Valley coach Dan Ellis. “We have faced some adversity the last few weeks. We have lost some close games. But they battled, they fought and they won.”
Ellis also felt that although the Great Valley defense allowed 41 points, the Patriots took away some of what the Vanguards like to do with their running game. Sun Valley has been scoring a lot of points against every opponent.
“The scoreboard may not indicate it, but I am proud of our defense,” said Ellis. “(Defensive coordinator) Jeff (Martin) had a good game plan. (Juiz) Kelly rushed for 325 last week and he didn’t have that (Friday). We took a good team out of their comfort zone.
“We’re not happy about giving up 41 points, but they have been averaging a ton of points. They put up points like there is no tomorrow. But we got them out of their running game.”
Sun Valley coach Greg Bernhardt said it was a matter of the same old story for his Vanguards.
“That is the story of our season,” said Bernhardt. “Every game is like this. We just can’t seem to make the plays we need to defensively. We miss tackles or interceptions that cost us.”
Bernhardt used the example of how Sun Valley was within 36-33 and had the chance to make an interception that could have been a pick-six the other way and could have turned the game around.
Instead, it became a deflected touchdown pass for Great Valley. Gavin Frankenheimer caught the deflected aerial from quarterback Jake Prevost. It was one of five touchdown passes Prevost threw on the night.
Prevost found Josh Burgess on a 71-yard TD pass to put Great Valley on the scoreboard. And then Amani Christopher ran for a three-yard TD for a second first-period score. Sarah Merriwether kicked both extra points for a 14-0 lead.
Sun Valley quarterback Anthony Ellis found Dayon Belgrave for an 11-yard TD, and Austin Whittington had the point after for a 14-7 Great Valley lead after the opening strains.
The Patriots held a 36-27 lead at halftime as the teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter.
Great Valley led 43-33 entering the fourth quarter.
Prevost completed 17 of 33 aerials for 376 yards and the five TDs.
Burgess had a big night with 11 receptions for 271 yards and three TDs. Adam Brophy had a 64-yard TD catch. Brendan O’Donnell also had three grabs plus an interception. James Thompson was also involved in the GV rushing game and on defense.
Jake Ruppert had a pair of sacks. Ryan Banavitch also had an interception.
Sun Valley’s Ellis passed for 296 yards and four TDs. Belgrave had 11 catches for 146 yards and two TDs. He also had two interceptions on defense. Lance Stone had eight catches for 79 yards and a TD. Kelly had a 60-yard TD catch. He rushed for 28 yards on 11 attempts.