Valley Lumberjack Ronald “Mercury” Morris, back from an injury, returned to the gridiron Sept. 4 at Clarksburg Notre Dame, but that did not intimidate the Irish, who came out on top, 32-12.

ND jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one period of play before the ‘Jacks Cody Scott hauled in a 21-yard TD pass completion from Garrett Ueltschy to close the gap 14-6 in the second period.

The Irish scored again before the half to go ahead by two touchdowns and extra point conversions, at 20-6. They added a touchdown in each of the third and fourth periods before the Lumberjacks tallied their final points on a Ueltschy six-yard TD run late in the fourth.

Morris led the ‘Jacks with 63 yards on 14 totes, while Ueltschy added 26 yards on eight carries. Drew Wade and Cody Bates each netted 19 yards, while Casey Pingley netted seven yards and Cody Scott had six yards rushing.

Valley went to the air nine times, completing five for 64 yards and a touchdown, and had one pass intercepted. Scott caught one of Ueltschy’s passes for 21 yards and a touchdown, while Morris netted 19 yards on three receptions. Alex Henderson added one reception that totaled 24 yards.

Defensively, Scott tallied 11 tackles, including one quarterback sack, and picked off a Notre Dame pass to lead the way for the ‘Jack defenders. Clay Ueltschy added 10 tackles, while Morris, Wade, and Dave Sivert each had five tackles. Wade also added an interception, as did Matthew Poling.

The Lumberjacks will try to redeem last season’s “Back Yard Brawl” loss to Hundred this Friday night in the Game of the Week at Tom West Field in Pine Grove, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.