By Tim Schumacher ’18, Staff Writer

The LVC football team defeated Wilkes 38-20 in the team’s home opener to give head coach Joe Buehler his first collegiate victory.

The Valley unleashed a running attack that accounted for 369 yards and four of the five touchdowns for the day, thanks to a backfield trio of running backs lead by All-American Brendon Irving.

John Jones got the scoring started with a 27 yard TD run just two and a half minutes into the game, and capped off another drive with a 24 yard touchdown with seven minutes left in the first quarter. Marcus Brown closed out the half with a 22 yard field goal to make the score 24-7 at the half.

The Valley got off to another quick start in the second half driving a quick four-play 70 yard touchdown drive to extend the lead to 24 points. Wilkes got the ball back from a muffed punt on the ensuing possession and drove 46 yards in nine plays to slim the lead.

LVC then intercepted the Colonels on the next three possessions, and two of the picks on back-to-back defensive plays. Both teams added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to make the final score 38-20, improving LVC’s record to (1-1), and dropping Wilkes to (0-2) for the season.

“It was important for our team to get their first victory after all the hard work,” Buehler said.

This was LVC’s second straight year playing under the lights in the home opener. Last year the Dutchmen were defeated by Franklin and Marshall 42-37 in a last-minute thriller.

The team traveled to Stevenson on Saturday to battle for first place in the conference against the #25 ranked DIII team in the nation.

“Stevenson is a great football team and they put on quite a show,” Buehler said.

The Dutchmen lost in a close game 24-13 on Saturday.  The team stays on the road this week.  The team faces King’s College Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.