The 1-5 Valley Lumberjacks took on the 3-3 Bellaire St. John on alumni weekend at Pine Grove Oct. 4, with St. John clawing out a come-from-behind 13-6 victory at Tom West Field.

The hosts started off blasting the visiting Irish with every thing they had offensively, taking the opening kickoff and driving it right down the field. Although they didn’t score, Valley’s Cody Bates and Ronald “Mercury” Morris ran for positive yardage.

After holding the Irish on their first possession, Valley used the tandem of Bates and Morris once more. Bates went right at the Irish to gain more real estate, while Morris used his speed to get around the front wall of Bellaire St John.

The first two processions accumulated around 120 yards and ended with a five yard TD run by Bates for the only score of the first half. But, late in the second quarter, near the goal line, the ‘Jacks were knocking at the door with a near completion to end the first half of play.

When the game resumed, the St. John defense stiffened and closed out the third frame with a TD and a PAT that barely made it.

St. John was fired up to start the fourth period and raced out to extend its lead to 13-6 on a Korey Melco TD, his second of the game.

Bates, Morris & Co. out rushed the visitors, 210-123. But three completed Irish passes keyed drives that accumulated 70 yards, while three ‘Jack receptions totaled only 28 yards.

Both teams moved the chains 12 times, but Valley had two more penalties than Bellaire.

For Valley, Freddie Guthrie totaled a dozen tackles, while Morris and Cody Scott managed 10 apiece, with Morris charting a quarterback sack against St. John.

“Our offense is gaining confidence with each game we play,” said Assistant Coach Jim West. “I just hope we can come out and play Clay-Battelle Friday night the way we know we can.”