Football - Ligonier Valley vs Shade

Ligonier Valley's Miller Sets Rushing Record in 45-8 Appalachian Bowl Rout of Shade 

Everyone knew that Ligonier Valley and Shade like to throw the ball. A lot. Saturday night's Appalachian Bowl cross-conference matchup between the unbeaten Heritage and WestPAC champions featured the PIAA record holder for touchdown receptions, Ligonier Valley's Aaron Tutino, and Shade quarterback Brady Fyfe, who had already thrown for over 2700 yards coming into the game. But the Rams' Kyrie Miller had something to say about guys who run with the ball, as he rushed for a school game-record 251 yards and two touchdowns, leading Ligonier Valley to a 45-8 win over Shade on a soggy Saturday night at Windber Stadium. The game, played for the second year in a row in a steady all-night rain, is the third straight Appalachian Bowl victory for the Rams, who have put up 142 points while giving up only 8 since the game was reincarnated in 2016. 

The Rams opened the scoring with a 44-yard John Caldwell to Tutino touchdown pass on a fourth-and-five. Peter Stoll, who was perfect on the night on PAT kicks, made the score 7-0 with 2:42 left in the first quarter. Miller got his first touchdown in the final minute of the quarter with a 19-yard run and the lead was 14-0. Junior tight end Cage Dowden caught a pair of touchdown passes from Caldwell, first from 8 yards and then from 3, to put the Rams up 28-0 as the clock ran down to halftime.

The second half was more of the same for Ligonier Valley as Miller ran in from 1-yard out early in the third. Stoll popped a 27-yard field goal through the uprights, and Ayden Kelley closed out the Rams scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run. The Panthers avoided the shutout when Fyfe hit Kaden Koleszarik from 2 yards out, then connected with Austin Mauger for the two-point conversion. 

Ligonier Valley celebrated some season milestones as Miller went over 1000 rushing yards on the season, Caldwell over 2000 yards passing, and Tutino over 1000 receiving. The Rams will get ready for conference playoff action next as they'll host Marion Center in District 6 action, while Shade will prepare for the District 5 playoffs.

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gtr-LVShade1-102818Ligonier Valley's Aaron Tutino (6) catches a John Caldwell pass and goes 44 yards for a touchdown with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter again Shade in the Appalachian Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Windber Stadium in Windber. Ligonier Valley leads 28-0 at halftime. gtr-LVShade6-102818Ligonier Valley's Kyrie Miller (29) finds a hole in the Shade defense and runs 19 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the first quarter in the Appalachian Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Windber Stadium in Windber. Ligonier Valley leads 28-0 at halftime. gtr-LVShade3-102818Ligonier Valley's Kyrie Miller (29) outruns Shade's Tyler Valine (11) and crosses the goal line on a 19-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the first quarter in the Appalachian Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Windber Stadium in Windber. Ligonier Valley leads 28-0 at halftime. gtr-LVShade5-102818in the Appalachian Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at Windber Stadium in Windber. Ligonier Valley leads 28-0 at halftime.