EAST WHITELAND — Zach Ludwig thought Great Valley’s game plan was similar to any other one the Patriots have used this season.
Like the Great Valley offense, that plan was to score quick.
“The game plan was to play hard, fast and together,’ Ludwig said. “That really is the game plan every time. Put the pedal to the metal all the time.’
Once the Patriots were on the accelerator, it was hard to slow them down.
Great Valley scored a touchdown on its first four possessions en route to 47 points in the first half in a 47-13 victory over Sun Valley in a Ches-Mont League American Division game Saturday afternoon.
The Patriots (3-1 league, 7-1 overall) had 265 total yards in the first half as they won their third straight game. The Vanguards (1-4 league, 2-6 overall) dropped their third game in a row.
Ludwig was the catalyst of Great Valley’s dynamic first half as he went 9-for-13 for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
On the game’s first possession, the Patriots manufactured a nine play, 65-yard drive capped by Ludwig’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Nasir Adderley as Great Valley took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Sun Valley fumbled and gave Great Valley great field position at the Vanguards 10. Two plays later, River Johnson scored on a six yard toss to put the Patriots up 13-0.
After a Sun Valley three-and-out, Ludwig found Dung Strang for a 27-yard touchdown grab on the first play of Great Valley’s next possession to put them up 20-0.
The throw was one Ludwig would haved liked to take back, but there was Strang to make an acrobatic catch and make a huge play for his quarterback.
“It’s natural to throw to Doug,’ Ludwig said. “I’ve been throwing to him since seventh grade. I just threw it up there and could tell the throw wasn’t quite right because I couldn’t get to step into it. As great as a player Doug is, he went up and made a great catch. He saved my bacon.’
“As an ex-quarterback, it’s nice to be able to throw the ball up and not have to be perfect all the time,’ said Great Valley head coach Dan Ellis. “Being able to adjust on a ball like Doug did makes a quarterback’s job easier. You don’t have to be perfect.’
Ludwig completed his first seven passes on the afternoon as Great Valley built a 27-0 lead after a quarter of play.
The offense kept on the gas pedal in the second as Ludwig fould Adderley for a 62-yard gain before Carter Rubin capped the drive with a 2-yard run to put Great Valley up 33-0.
Ludwig capped the first half with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Doug McGinley to put the Patriots up 47-0 heading into halftime.
Great Valley outgained Sun Valley 285 to 26 in total yards in the half. The defense held the Vanguards to no first downs in the process.
Johnson had eight carries for 53 yards and three touchdowns during the scoring barrage. He didn’t hesitate to credit the offensive line for his strong half.
“The lanes were there all day,’ Johnson said. “I can make one miss but not the whole team. It’s the line that’s getting me those touchdowns. That front line is ready to go every game.’
Sun Valley scored two touchdowns late to avoid a shutout, both at the hands of Jon Kester.
Kester scored his first career touchdown on an 11-yard run and followed with one on a four-yard pass from Adam Robinson. He led the Vanguards with nine carries for 54 yards.
Great Valley, like its fast-paced offense, is clicking on all cylinders heading into its matchup at Unionville on Friday. Ellis presented a challenge to his senior class in preparation for the Indians.
“We haven’t beaten Rustin nor Unionville in their four years here,’ Ellis said. “This is marked and we’re well aware of that. We’re going to do our best to go down there and win. Unionville obviously is a talented football team and we have our work cut out for us.’
