Harry Johnston gives Dakota Gaff a lift in the downpour after a 33-yard Gaff touchdown during Tippecanoe Valley’s 25-0 win at Manchester Friday night. (Photos by Mike Deak)

NORTH MANCHESTER – As was the case all over northern Indiana, the weather was terrible Friday night. That didn’t stop Tippecanoe Valley from putting on one of its finest football games of the season.

Despite a swirling wind, rain changing speeds and directions without notice and a Manchester field that got worse with each step of the game, Valley hung its second shutout in three weeks, 25-0, on the Squires in a key Three Rivers Conference contest for the visitors.

Valley’s Alex Craft reacts after stuffing Manchester on fourth down.

The win keeps Tippecanoe Valley alive in the conference championship conversation, sitting at 6-1 heading into a huge rematch with Southwood, which is 7-0 and guaranteed at least a share of the TRC title after beating Rochester. It won’t take much for any of the Valley players, coaches, supporters or just those rooting against Southwood to remember the stinging 21-20 loss at Southwood in a game similar in weather patterns.

“They often say to have a short memory, but we remember just fine of what happened last year,” said Tippecanoe Valley head coach Steve Moriarty in reference to the Southwood loss in the final week of the 2018 regular season. Valley was the then-champs of the North Division, Southwood for the South Division. “We’ve talked a little bit about that. To have that opportunity to come back and have that same game, where if we win, we are conference champs at home, that’s a pretty big thing.”

But business first for the Vikes against the Squires. Valley put on quite a defensive showcase in the first half, holding Manchester without a first down in the first two quarters while piling up a 182-21 edge in yards gained in the first 24 minutes. A 33-yard run by Dakota Gaff to the left side accounted for the only score of the first quarter. Gaff again polished off a Valley drive midway through the second quarter, taking the ball in from a yard out on a nice power rush to the left.

Even in the rain, Manchester cheer keep the vibe alive.

Valley hadn’t thrown a pass until six seconds left in the half, but it was a good one as Tanner Trippiedi found Jalen Potter open for an 18-yard pitch and catch. At the half, Valley led 19-0 and were well on their way.

Gaff would add his third touchdown run, this one from three yards out, in the third quarter. Gaff was the workhorse for the ground and pound Viking offense, rushing for 157 yards on the night. Jaydin Conley added 93 yards rushing for the attack that had 49 total carries for 288 yards.

The Viking defense held Manchester to just 55 rushing yards on a night that screamed run the ball, and Manchester didn’t get inside the Valley red zone until the final drive of the game, which ended on a penalty and a quarterback sack to save the shutout. After a tough 24-3 loss to Maconaquah last week, Valley has now pitched two shutouts in three weeks, beating Whitko 42-0 two weeks ago.

Of note, Maconaquah also won against Wabash Friday night and will take its 6-1 TRC mark to Rochester for what could make for a three-way split if Valley beats Southwood.

“I was very proud of the kids, what miserable conditions,” Moriarty said. “Offensive line definitely came out tonight and did their job. Thought they did a good job picking up the different fronts that we were given. Sometimes that can be difficult or confusing, especially for high school kids. But they did a good job adjusting to what was given to them. I was just very proud of the O-line and the backs for holding onto the ball tonight, it was a little slippery.”

Valley’s Jasten Snapp wrestles Manchester’s Sam Martindale down as Jaydin Conley comes in for support. Valley held Manchester to just 55 yards rushing on the night.