Merrimack Valley’s senior running back Nate Wallace and junior back Jubal Tubbs ran the Pride all the way to their first playoff win in school history.
The No. 3 Pride smashed its previous win record during the regular season, going 8-1. They hosted No. 6 Hanover and dominated with the tough ground-and-pound style of football that’s marked their season to win, 28-14.
Wallace and Tubbs scored two touchdowns each, as the downpour on Friday night hampered hopes of explosive pass plays. After an extra point was blocked on the Valley’s second touchdown, Kingston Clermont scored a two-point attempt to even out the team’s score at 28.
There wasn’t much Hanover could do to stop the Pride’s run game. They chewed up the clock with their first two drives and controlled the pace of play from start to finish.
“The boys played with a lot of heart tonight and made the plays when we needed them. This is our first playoff win in MV history,” Head Coach Matt Shaw said. “The boys know what this meant for the program and these seniors proved we belonged in the playoffs and earned this win.”
The Pride will face the winner of No. 2 Souhegan and No. 7 John Stark, scheduled to play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. It did not face either team in the regular season.
This story will be updated.
