YATESVILLE — Things couldn’t have started better for Pittston Area on the night it was honoring the school’s first graduating class and its 2016 homecoming court.

But after the Patriots took a 7-0 lead on their first drive, Valley View and its running game took control.

The Cougars piled on 371 rushing yards, along with another 92 passing, en route to a 49-14 win over Pittston Area Friday night at Charley Trippi Stadium. The win was Valley View’s first of the season. Pittston Area falls to 1-3 on the young season.

Pittston Area’s Keemar Woodruff finished with 106 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. He led the Patriots to another solid night rushing with 203 yards. Trevor Tigue and Dylan Spurlin each rushed for more than 30 yards.

Related Video

While putting up 49 points, Valley View had three touchdowns called back because of penalties. The Cougars still finished with 463 yards of total offense in the win. The Cougars scored on seven straight possessions after the Patriots took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Looking like the Pittston Area team that beat Tunkhannock in Week 2, the Patriots started things off with a bang.

On the opening drive of the game, Pittston Area used junior running back Trevor Tigue to get going. Tigue carried the ball four times on the first drive, including a 26-yard run on third-and-9. He capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead just three minutes in.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, Valley View scored the next 34 points.

Behind the running of quarterback Chandler Fuller, who finished with 118 yards and two scores, and a host of running backs, the Cougars scored on their next four possessions of the half, taking a 28-7 lead at the break. Sam Pittsman, Fuller, Evan Carey and Traon Jones each scored on touchdown runs.

Coming out of the half, the Cougars went back to work. Their fifth straight possession with a touchdown was capped off by Jones’ 29-yard run.

As they have most of the season, Pittston Area came out firing itself in the second half.

Following the Cougar score, the Patriots got life with running back Keemar Woodruff. Woodruff had five of the next six Pittston Area carries for 70 yards. He capped off the scoring drive with a 1-yard run. However, Valley View wasn’t done scoring.

On the next play from scrimmage, Fuller took it himself up the middle for a 70-yard touchdown run to take Pittston Area’s momentum. The Cougars would score again on their next possession when Pittsman got his second touchdown of the game.

The Patriots are back in action next week when they travel to GAR on Friday, Sept. 23.

Pittston Area’s Keemar Woodruff (4) shakes off a Valley View tackle early in the first quarter after receiving a pass from Walter Coles.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_PA-VV-ftbl-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Keemar Woodruff (4) shakes off a Valley View tackle early in the first quarter after receiving a pass from Walter Coles. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area quarterback Walter Coles (12) raises his hand in jubilation as Trevor Tigue crosses the goal line for the Patriots’ first score.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_PA-VV-ftbl-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area quarterback Walter Coles (12) raises his hand in jubilation as Trevor Tigue crosses the goal line for the Patriots’ first score. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s Rich Wallace, Chris Dudek, and Dylan Spurlin stop Valley View’s Jake Osborne.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_PA-VV-ftbl-3.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Rich Wallace, Chris Dudek, and Dylan Spurlin stop Valley View’s Jake Osborne. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s John DeLucca (90) puts a big hit on Valley View’s Chandler Fuller.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_PA-VV-ftbl-4.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s John DeLucca (90) puts a big hit on Valley View’s Chandler Fuller. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick