Tigers Tame Trojans in Home Opener, 27-6

Drew Gray ran all over the Iowa City West Trojans Friday night as the senior running back led the Valley Tigers to their first win of the season.

The senior running back is now the featured cog in the Gary Swenson offense. He finished with 2 touchdowns and 195 yards rushing.

The Tigers improved to 1-1 as the Trojans evened their record with the the  loss at Valley Stadium.

Valley only scored three points in the second half, but by then, the game was in hand. The Tigers led 24-7 at the break behind a hug offensive line surge the kept the Trojan defense on the field for most of the first half.

QB Rocky Lombardi seemed more poised under center this week for the Tigers. The sophomore finished with 10-23 passing for 177 yards and one TD and 3 interceptions. Dominique Dafney 6 catches for 85 yards and Carlo Marble hauled in 2 passes for 52 yards including a 4 yard TD catch.

Lombardi graded his performance a B in his postgame interview on the Central Iowa Sports Network.

Valley out rushed West 281 to 42. And if it wasn’t for a 53 yard pass play late the 4th quarter, the passing yards would have been even more lopsided. Aaron Bleil called his own number late in the 4th quarter for the Trojan’s only score.

Valley kicker Cole Hahn added two field goals of 26 and 29 yards.

The Trojans go on the road again next week to play Cedar Rapids Washington. The Tigers head east for a big game with Southeast Polk.