Green Valley dominates Valley in playoff opener

After missing the postseason a year ago, Green Valley returned to playoff mode.

Real fast.

The Gators scored touchdowns on offense, special teams and defense in the first five minutes of their Sunrise Regional playoff game against Valley, and waltzed to a 53-25 home victory Friday night.

Green Valley quarterback A.J. Barilla was 9 of 9 passing for 135 yards and two touchdowns while going over the 2,000-yard mark on the season. Four Gators players also rushed for touchdowns, helping Green Valley a 47-7 halftime lead.

“We did a good job jumping on them early,” Gators head coach Brian Castro said. “Our number ones came out and controlled things early.”

There were few first-half bright spots for the Vikings (4-6), who are trying to shake their recent struggles. Even though one of their wins this year was a forfeit victory over Basic, Valley still made a step forward considering that the program had only won four combined games over the previous four seasons.

But little went right for the Vikings in the opening two quarters Friday night. Part of that was the result of relentless pressure Green Valley’s defensive line put on Valley’s offensive unit.

“We felt like we would have an advantage on lines and especially on the edges,” Castro said. “We did a good job of getting pressure and not letting them get comfortable.”

Julian Hulse ran for a game-high 86 yards and scored a touchdown for Green Valley. Desmond Bowers, Noel Hawthorne and Tyreeque Isaac also scored on the ground.

Valley quarterbacks Endy Diaz and Bryce Jones threw two touchdowns apiece.