By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: September 07, 2023
The Valley Center High School football team started the season with a 20-6 victory over Newton at home Friday (Sept. 1).
"It's important to win the first game," Valley Center coach Scott L'Ecuyer said. "It sets the momentum for the weeks ahead, especially with a tough matchup with Goddard next week. So, you get that one under your belt. We made mistakes; we also have our kids' attention. It's good to have their attention, but also have the win."
Dai'Mont Mucker scores on a 91-yard return of the game's opening kickoff. Photo by Lisa Saner
HORNET FOOTBALL: Valley starts season with a win
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: September 07, 2023
The Valley Center High School football team started the season with a 20-6 victory over Newton at home Friday (Sept. 1).
"It's important to win the first game," Valley Center coach Scott L'Ecuyer said. "It sets the momentum for the weeks ahead, especially with a tough matchup with Goddard next week. So, you get that one under your belt. We made mistakes; we also have our kids' attention. It's good to have their attention, but also have the win."
Valley Center Hornets Head Football Coach Scott L'Ecuyer Post Game Interview: Newton 9-1-23 from Craig W. Scribner on Vimeo.
The Hornets led from start to finish, putting together all three phases of the game. The special teams scored a touchdown and two field goals. The offense scored a touchdown and controlled the clock to put the game away and the defense gave up a single score.
Valley Center senior Dai'Mont Mucker struck early. He took the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Later in the first quarter, Mucker finished a five-play 66-yard drive with a 39-yard touchdown run. The drive included a 16-yard pass from Hank Welu to receiver Joey Knutson.
Newton answered with a short field, starting at the Valley Center six after a long return and scoring a touchdown as the second quarter began.
Valley Center kicker CJ Gonzalez kicked a 26-yard field goal before the first half ended.
After a scoreless third quarter, Gonzalez converted a 24-yard field goal for the final margin.
Without Mucker in the backfield, the Hornets killed the game's final 9 minutes, 31 seconds, converting five first downs, including a fourth-and-one sneak by Welu.
Valley Center finished the game with 295 yards of of... Click here to read full article
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