In a tight battle between unbeaten Division III teams, Sunrise Mountain outlasted host Valley in an overtime thriller Thursday night.
After trailing 18-12 with seconds left in the game, the Miners pulled out a 26-24 come-from-behind victory.
“This was a hell of a test for us,” Sunrise Mountain coach Patrick Achord said. “Valley is a team we hope to play again. We came out flat tonight, but our defense balled out for us.”
Going into the game, Sunrise Mountain (4-0) had built its identity around its defense early in the season. The Miners had allowed 22 points entering Thursday’s game.
The Sunrise Mountain defense was tested late in the fourth quarter of a 12-12 game.
After some long runs from Valley quarterback Nah’lage Butler set up a red-zone drive, the Vikings pulled ahead 18-12 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter when sophomore Eliah Dawson punched in a 4-yard touchdown run.
Sunrise Mountain’s defense stopped the two-point conversion attempt, as Valley (2-1) missed its fourth consecutive try.
On the ensuing possession, Sunrise Mountain marched down the field and ran down the clock to 20 seconds when sophomore quarterback August Krael completed his third touchdown pass to junior Malakai Thomas on an 8-yard slant.
Valley possessed the ball first in overtime and scored quickly. Butler scrambled for a 5-yard touchdown and pulled Valley ahead, 24-18. He finished with 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Sunrise Mountain’s defense again stopped the two-point conversion, opening the door for the Miners to win on their overtime possession. On the first play of the drive, Krael found senior Camar Gaines for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
After going 0 for 4 on its first four two-point conversion attempts, the Miners were successful as Krael found Gaines in the front corner of the end zone for the successful try and the 26-24 win.
Krael passed for 167 yards and four touchdowns.
With an undefeated start to the season, Sunrise Mountain is hoping to continue its momentum.
“We’ve gotten shut out in the third quarter in all our games so far, and they controlled the clock the whole second half,” Achord said. “We have to get better.”
