NEPA Sports Nation

Hilling gets Cougars off to fast start

Connor Hilling scored the game’s first three touchdowns and host Valley View built a 42-point halftime lead Nov. 4 while opening the playoffs with a 54-7 romp over Honesdale in a District 2 Class 4A football quarterfinal.

Hilling scored on runs of 3 and 14 yards for a 14-0 lead after one quarter. He then opened the second-quarter scoring with another 3-yard touchdown run.

Adam Howanitz took it from there, running 3 yards for a score, passing to Kyle Rupp for the two-pointer and hitting Taheed Jewell with a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Preston Reed added a 2-yard run for a 42-0 lead at halftime.

Johnny Kauffman scored Honesdale’s touchdown in the third quarter on a 2-yard fumble return.

Casey Malsberger ran 1 yard and Mason Iyoob returned an interception 73 yards for fourth-quarter touchdowns by Valley View, which did not attempt either conversion.

Christopher Savkov had an interception and sack in the win.

Howanitz went 10-for-12 for 169 yards passing. Jewell had 7 catches for 85 yards. Hilling ran for 65 yards on 11 carries.

The Cougars showed off a balanced attack with 182 yards passing and 178 rushing.

Valley View advances into Saturday night’s district semifinal at home against Dallas.

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