Connor Hilling led the offense while A.J. Kucharski sparked the defense and special teams Friday night, sending Valley View past visiting Wallenpaupack and into a share of the Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 lead with a 28-7 victory at John Henzes/Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Hilling carried 20 times for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns while moving within 8 yards of his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season.
Kucharski had four tackles for losses, blocked one punt and partially blocked another.
They teamed up to give Valley View the lead less than two minutes in despite kicking off to start the game.
The Cougars forced a punt, which Kucharski blocked, setting them up at the Buckhorns 4.
Hilling scored from there.
Wallenpaupack answered quickly for a 7-7 tie on a 72-yard pass from Drew Kiesendhal to Michael Passenti, but Valley View moved in front to stay before the quarter ended on an 8-yard Preston Reed run.
Hilling added an 8-yard run midway through the second quarter for a 20-7 halftime lead. He ran 5 yards for a score and tacked on the two-pointer in the third quarter to close the scoring.
Adam Howanitz added 101 yards for the Cougars on 9-for-15 passing. Taheed Jewell caught 4 passes for 43 yards.
Dylan Walsh led the defense in total tackles with eight tackles and two assists. Robert Altieri rushed the passer into three incompletions.
The Cougars (7-2 overall) improved to 4-1 in the division. Delaware Valley also won to catch up to idle Scranton Prep at the top of the division.
Scranton Prep travels to Valley View in a regular-season finale with championship implications Friday. The winner will share the title with Delaware Valley or take the championship outright if Abington Heights upsets Delaware Valley.
Wallenpaupack lost its eighth straight to fall to 0-5 and 1-8. It was the fifth time during the streak that the Buckhorns managed just seven points.
