GERMANTOWN – The Milton-Union Bulldogs entered the 2022 season with high expectations due to the large amount of players who returned for a great season a year ago.
And in a huge non-conference game with potential playoff implications on the line, the Bulldogs made a statement with a 24-14 victory over Valley View on the Spartans’ home field.
The game was physical from the outset as neither team could manage much offense in the early going.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they were able to connect on a 33-yard field goal by Mason Grudich in the opening frame to take a 3-0 lead.
The field goal was the momentum the Bulldogs needed as they opened the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by Michael Elam to push the lead to 10-0.
Valley View, a traditionally strong program, responded with a drive of its own that was capped by a 26-yard scoring strike from quarterback Caden Henson to Troy Hypes to cut the margin to 10-7.
Needing to regain the momentum, the Bulldogs responded with a drive of its own that was extended by a huge penalty by the Spartan defense. Michael Elam capped the drive with a 2-yard scoring plunge to give the Bulldogs a 17-7 lead at the break.
Elam, who was stifled for much of the first half, broke the game open as a receiver. Quarterback Nate Morter found Elam out off the backfield for a 34-yard score to push the Bulldog advantage to 24-7 with one quarter to play.
Valley View managed to score on a pass from Caden Henson to Reilly Phillips in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late for the Spartans as the Bulldogs walked away with a very impressive 24-14 victory.
In all, the Bulldogs accumulated 270 yards of offense and controlled the clock with a time of position of 33 minutes.
Michael Elam accounted for 94 yards of offense with 60 rushing yards and 34 receiving yards., He also reached the end zone three times for the Bulldogs.
Next up for Milton-Union is a home contest against Oakwood next Friday.