Loff’s 45-Yard Record Blast and Stifling Secondary Keep Crestwood at Bay in 19-6 Cougars Win
By: SportzWire | SportzWire | September 5, 2026 | Photo courtesy Jilian Loff
Valley View secured a 19-6 victory over Crestwood on Friday night, relying on a stout defensive front, disciplined ground work, and a record-breaking special teams showcase to claim their first win of the season. The Cougars, ranked third in the Big School rankings, dictated field position from the opening whistle and authored a decisive chapter in their recent series against the Comets.
The tone was established barely two minutes into the contest in Archbald. On Crestwood’s opening offensive snap from deep in their own territory, Tyler Muchal led a swarming surge into the backfield to wrap up quarterback Teddy Taylor in the end zone for a safety. Armed with a 2-0 lead, the Cougars quickly capitalized on the positive momentum. Colin Dempsey orchestrated the ensuing possession, finding Brady Bachman on a sharp 17-yard touchdown connection. Specialist Braden Loff split the uprights on the point-after attempt, pushing the Valley View advantage to 9-0 midway through the opening frame.
Crestwood responded with trademark grit at the line of scrimmage, leaning heavily on running back Jake Jeckell. The hard-nosed ballcarrier shouldered the Comets' ground attack, grinding out 107 yards on 26 touches. Midway through the second quarter, Jeckell finished off a sustained march with a 2-yard touchdown plunge to slice the deficit to 9-6, keeping the visitors within striking distance as the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime.
Momentum threatened to swing Crestwood’s way when the Comets opened the third quarter with a successful surprise onside kick by Nate Ciocco near midfield. However, Valley View’s defensive discipline turned the tide back, forcing the Comets backward before a special teams miscue on a punt attempt handed the Cougars pristine field position at the Crestwood 5-yard line. Tristan Smith wasted no time, bursting into the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown carry to extend the lead to 16-6.
Then came the moment that etched Loff into the Cougars record books. With 14.1 seconds remaining in the third quarter, the junior lined up a 45-yard field goal try. Cunningham delivered a clean snap, Colin Witkowski placed the hold smoothly, and Loff drilled a towering kick that cleared the crossbar with plenty of room to spare. The 45-yard strike eclipsed the previous program standard of 42 yards set in 2018 by Cam Ceccotti. The feat capped an exceptional performance for Loff, who handles kicking duties on Friday nights while simultaneously serving as a captain on both the soccer field and golf course this autumn.
Loff's right leg continually eliminated return opportunities, consistently blasting touchbacks into the end zone, highlighted by a towering 75-yard kickoff for a touchback after a penalty pushed Valley View back to its own 25-yard line.
Valley View’s defense sealed the result in the fourth quarter. Tristan Smith and Witkowski each pulled down timely interceptions through the air, neutralizing Crestwood’s passing attempts and cementing the Cougars' fifth consecutive victory over the Comets.
Valley View Top Performers
Braden Loff: 1 for 1 FG (45 yds, school record), 2 for 2 XP, 5 kicking points, multiple touchbacks
Tristan Smith: 7 carries, 28 rushing yds, 1 rushing TD, 1 interception
Colin Dempsey: 5 of 10 passing, 71 passing yds, 1 passing TD
Cash Roe: 4 receptions, 54 receiving yds
Brady Bachman: 1 reception, 17 receiving yds, 1 receiving TD
Crestwood Top Performers
Jake Jeckell: 26 carries, 107 rushing yds, 1 rushing TD
Teddy Taylor: 14 carries, 53 rushing yds, 2 of 6 passing, 15 passing yds
Logan Lawson: 1 reception, 8 receiving yds
Amias Ocasio: 1 reception, 7 receiving yds, 1 carry, -4 rushing yds
Houston McGuire: 1 carry, 0 rushing yds
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