By ASHLEIGH PEMBROKE

Register Correspondent

CHICO — The Valley View Eagles picked up their first win of the 2009 season by defeating the Chico Dragons 54-0 Friday in Chico.

The game started as Cameron Vesperman kicked off for the Eagles. Chico’s Tyler Bingam received the kick and returned it to the Chico 26-yard line. The drive stalled after a sack by Josh Anding and the Dragons were forced to punt. The punt was taken by Dylan Pembroke who returned in 55 yards for a touchdown, but a holding call brought it back.

The Eagles took over at the Chico 41-yard line. From there, quarterback Scott Willis completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Kassen. The extra point attempt by Brandon Tipps was blocked and with 9:15 to go in the first quarter, Valley View led 6-0.

After Vesperman’s kickoff, the Dragons took possession at their own 26, where again the drive stalled and they were forced to punt. The punt was received by Dustin Whetzel of the Eagles who returned it 43 yards to the Chico 5, where on the next down Whetzel ran the ball again for a 5-yard touchdown. The PAT by Tipps was good and the Eagles led 13-0 with 6:19 left in the first quarter.

The Dragons’ next drive started at their own 40, but was thwarted after a sack by Vesperman, making it fourth-and-17. The Dragons did manage a 5-yard punt to give the Eagles excellent field position at midfield.

The Eagles then scored their third touchdown in the quarter with runs from Scott Willis (14 and 18 yards respectively), who scored on a 4-yard run. The PAT was good with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.

The second quarter began with the Eagles’ Thacker recovering a fumble at the Chico 48. The Eagles then took over with runs by Willis and Whetzel to the Chico 22, where Willis threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Vesperman. The PAT was no good and Valley View led 26–0 with 8:46 left in the second quarter.

Chico took possession on their own 33 and made it into the Eagles’ 37, but their drive was stopped there. The Eagles took possession at their own 41 and on first down, Casey Boaz gained 24 yards on a run and the Eagles continued to ground the ball out with large gains by Willis and Whetzel. On first and 10 at the Chico 22, Whetzel again found holy ground and the PAT was good for an Eagle lead of 33–0.

The second half began as the Eagles again drove through Dragon territory on the backs of Willis, Boaz and Whetzel, aided by large holes provided by the offensive line. The next O-line window resulted in a 14-yard touchdown run by Whetzel. The PAT was blocked by Chico, but after an offside penalty on the Dragons, the Eagles converted and then led 40–0 with 9:33 left in the third.

Chico turned it over again on their next possession on downs, relinquishing the ball to Valley View at their own 20. The Eagles moved the ball up to the 45 thanks to Oscar Luna. From there, Willis took it up the middle for a 55-yard touchdown. The kick was good and the Eagles led 47–0.

The Dragons’ next possession started at their own 32 and their drive was halted by a fumble which was picked up by the Eagles’ Thacker, who ran it back to the 15. Then the Eagles returned the ball with a fumble on fourth and 2. The ball again changed hands after an interception by Pembroke who ran it back 35 yards to the Chico 16 to round out the third quarter.

To begin the last quarter, Boaz ran in a 16 yard touchdown. The PAT was good and the Eagles led 54–0 with 11 minutes and change left in the ballgame.

After the Eagles’ touchdown the game wound down to short gains found on runs by both teams, but there were no other fireworks to speak of.