MINERSVILLE - Willams Valley's Trevor Whelski is a typical bruising-type fullback not known for long runs.
But with the number of big plays the Vikings turned in Friday night, he might as well get involved, too.
Whelski's 83-yard scoring run midway through the first quarter was the start of what turned out to be a huge offensive night for Williams Valley in its 46-12 thumping of Minersville at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Behind their new offensive line, the Vikings' first two offensive possessions resulted in a fumbled snap by quarterback Stephen Sedesse that was recovered by the Miners' Connor Nettles and a punt.
Williams Valley went right to work on its third possession at the Vikings' 17-yard line as Whelski ran over the left side, got a block about 10 yards into his run, cut to his left and then outran Minersville's secondary to the end zone.
"I saw when we were lined up it was going to be a big run," Whelski said. "I am normally just a first-down guy. I was surprised."
Whelski might have been, but the play itself was designed to be a potentially big one.
Cole Barnhardt, Williams Valley's tailback, lined up behind Whelski and went out on a bubble screen. The play is designed to take the outside linebacker with him.
"If Trevor can get past the middle backer, it becomes a footrace with the safeties," Vikings coach Tim Savage said. "Fortunately for us they missed a tackle and he was gone.
"He was gassed the rest of the game, so I guess he has to condition more," Savage added with a laugh.
Whelski's only other carry also went for a touchdown from 6 yards out in the second quarter. It turned out be
the Vikings' shortest scoring play of the game as they rolled up 454 yards of total offense.
"The plan coming in here tonight was for our skilled guys to do what they do and give ourselves some time to get better," Savage said. "They are all very young (on the line) and I believe with each win they'll get confidence and understand they can play at this level and that they belong here. I still think our skill (players) are the best around."
They showed that Friday.
Sedesse was 8-for-12 passing for 185 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Barnhardt later in the first quarter. He also threw scoring strikes of 48 and 24 yards to Cody Miller and added an 11-yard touchdown run.
Miller had the Vikings' final touchdown on a 75-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.
Barnhardt finished with 89 yards rushing on eight carries.
While Williams Valley's offense was racking up big plays, the defense was preventing them. In fact, the Miners couldn't get much going most of the night.
Minersville, which also has a new offensive line this season, finished the game with 126 yards of total offense - all on the ground - and just 28 in the first half. The Miners didn't get their initial first down until 8:05 was left in the second quarter and finished the game with six punts.
"Our linebackers are the best around and they didn't show us anything the first two scrimmages," Savage said. "We were lacking leadership on the defense but I heard some pads cracking and excitement so I think we are back."
Minersville's first touchdown came on a 76-yard interception return by Bryce Micklesavage in the third quarter. The Miners' only offensive score was a 3-yard run by Dylan Stephen in the fourth quarter.
David Schultz led Minersville with 44 yards on 12 carries.
"The win means everything to the younger kids who had zero confidence coming in and playing varsity," Savage said. "They were terrified."
Indeed, Williams Valley's offensive line passed its first test Friday as Landon Bordner, Daymian Shoop, Albert Wolfgang, Yukki Sasaki and Beau Yoder made their first varsity starts up front. Yoder is a senior, Sasaki and Wolfgang are juniors, Bordner is a sophomore and Shoop is a freshman.
"The offensive line did a lot for us," Whelski said. "I know we had a lot of rough practices, but they came through."