YORK — York High moved the ball early, but the Wildcats made the mistakes that have plagued them this season.
And making mistakes against Mountain Valley means trouble. The undefeated Falcons continued their romping ways with a 47-12 decision against York.
Cam Kaubris not only threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, but he also played free safety and intercepted three York passes.
Mountain Valley (8-0) has outscored its opponents 310-24. York was officially eliminated from playoff contention, dropping to 4-4, while the Falcons clinched home-field advantage throughout the Western Class B playoffs.
The Wildcats turned the ball over four times, on a fumble and the three interceptions. Mountain Valley did not lose a turnover.
Still, York played for pride, even when it trailed 34-0 early in the fourth quarter.
Mountain Valley had shutout its opponents over the last 21 quarters.
So when Brad Stephens capped a 72-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 9:23 left, the Wildcats celebrated.
“We just don’t quit,” York Coach Randy Small said. “Been one of those years where everything has gone wrong. But it has built character with these kids. We did not back down.”
After York scored, Kaubris was seen rallying his team on the sidelines, clapping his hands, urging on his teammates.
“We didn’t want to give (the touchdown) up,” Kaubris said. “They did a great job at the end and grinded hard.”
Mountain Valley followed York’s score with a 63-yard drive to make it 41-6.
That drive ended Kaubris’ night. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 84 yards. Tailback Taylor Bradley rushed 16 times for 102 yards, part of Mountain Valley’s 275 rushing yards.
York gained 149 yards on the ground, led by Stephens’ 87.
York became the first team to score twice on Mountain Valley this season when quarterback Wesley Warner led a 57-yard drive, finishing it with an 18-yard TD pass to Austin Wallace.
But for the most part, York had trouble sustaining drives.
“We feel all the time that if we can keep people from hitting the home run against us, we can always regroup and play team defense,” Falcons Coach Jim Aylward said.
York’s defense made some big plays early, with sacks by Ryan Schoff and Drew Sheehan.
But Mountain Valley made bigger plays.
York drove 35 yards on its first drive, but Kaubris made his first pick and returned it 48 yards to the York 5, setting up Mountain Valley’s first score.
“I’m always reading the quarterback eyes,” said Kaubris. “The coaches said to be a ball-hawk out there.”
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
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