Pioneers Clinch Share of the SVC Football Title at Paint Valley

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Not since 2016 has Zane Trace enjoyed a share of the Scioto Valley Conference title, but Friday the Pioneers enjoyed the bus ride back to Kinnikinick after a 35-27 victory at Paint Valley.

ZT used a 28-point second quarter to set the bar for their battle with the Bearcats, after trailing early 6-0.

Paint Valley took the opening possession using a six-and-a-half minute drive capped by a 1 yard dive into the end zone by Braylon Robertson. The sophomore running back recorded 26 lugs for 183 yards and scored twice on the night.

Daniel Barnhart was the workhorse for the Pioneers. He bounced left on the first play of the second quarter for a 71 yard TD run. Landon Robinson’s PAT gave Zane Trace the lead at 7-6 just 13 seconds into the period.

Shortly thereafter, the Pioneers recovered a fumbled in Paint Valley territory. Austin Ison carried the ball inside the five yard line and Carter Langley called his own number for a four yard touchdown run and put Zane Trace up 14-6.

On the Bearcats’ next possession, Blake Phillips snagged an interception and scored 42 yards after the catch. And like that, Zane Trace went ahead 21-6.

Before the half, Cavan Cooper scooped up a Zane Trace fumble and scored a presumed touchdown. After a long deliberation, the touchdown was overturned and the Bearcats were awarded the ball at the ZT 26 yard line. Cooper finished off the short drive with a 3 yard run to pull Paint Valley within 21-13.

Langley found Nalin Robinson for a 23 yard touchdown strike and by the break, the Pioneers built a 28-13 lead.

Barnhart opened the second half where he left off in the first. The bruising fullback tacked on a 4 yard run to put Zane Trace ahead 35-13. Barnhart tallied 243 yards on 29 carries to lead all rushers.

Paint Valley wasn’t going away quietly. The Bearcats’ Robertson scored just before the end of the third period to close the margin to 35-20.

PV scored again on a 1 yard run by Cooper with 3:48 remaining, but the Bearcats ran out of time with Zane Trace leaving George Knisley Field with a 35-27 victory and at least a share of the SVC title.

The Pioneers (9-0/6-0) will go for a Gold Ball when they travel to Frankfort to close out the regular season with the Adena Warriors (3-6/2-4). Adena dropped a 36-7 decision at Huntington (5-4/3-3) Friday.

Paint Valley (5-4/4-2) closes out the regular season at Southeastern (1-8/0-6). The Panthers fell to Unioto (8-1/5-1) Friday 56-7.