Muskingum Valley Victorious in 34th Annual All-Star Game

Muskingum Valley’s defense held Licking County to minus 29 yards rushing and Jeremiah Jones, Brock Fargus and Daniel Scott punched in touchdowns to lead the home team past the visitors, 21-6, at Jack Anderson Stadium in the 34th annual Muskingum-Licking game.

After a scoreless 1st quarter in which both teams turned the ball over once, Muskingum Valley got the scoring started in the 2nd. Following a Collin Russell run and personal foul on Licking County, Jones scampered in from six yards to give the blue shirts a 7-0 lead.

Later in the quarter, Muskingum Valley extended its lead on a two-yard run by Brock Fargus that was set up by a 43-yard pass from Fargus to fellow Tri-Valley Scottie Logan Bash. Muskingum Valley had a chance to tally another touchdown before half, but ran out of time inside Licking County’s five yard line to settle for a 13-0 lead through 24 minutes.

Licking County finally got its offense going in the 3rd quarter. On 4th-and-16 from the Muskingum 38, Tyler Nethers connected in the back-left corner of the end zone with future Youngstown State Penguin Darius Shackleford. But another Licking Valley turnover would yet again make it a two-score game. Lined up to punt, a bad snap sailed over Nethers’ head and forced the Licking Valley grad to boot the ball out of bounds for a safety.

The home team nearly iced the game early in the 4th quarter. Olajuwon Pettiford was just one yard away from scoring on a punt return, but Licking County forced and recovered the fumble. Still, the visitors gave Muskingum Valley another gift, losing a fumble on a bad snap on their own three yard line. On the very next play, Muskingum Valley’s Scott pounded home a touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Muskingum Valley head coach Justin Buttermore improves to 3-0 overall in the all-star game. All three times, one of his starting quarterbacks was under center.

The win gives Muskingum Valley an 18-16 overall advantage in the summer series. New Lexington’s Tommy Russell earned M.V.P. honors for Muskingum Valley while Nethers took home the award for Licking County.