By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:45 AM CST

STE. GENEVIEVE — Explosive plays on defense and special teams helped the Valle Catholic football team find the endzone a remarkable six times before netting its initial first down on Monday night.

The unbeaten Warriors barely broke a sweat while building a commanding lead during the first half, and continued their Class 1 playoff run with a 56-7 sectional victory over Paris at Father John Dempsey Field.

Senior quarterback Michael Greminger completed his final seven passes to finish 8-of-13 overall for 98 yards and three touchdowns. The Valle starters departed the action midway through the second quarter.

The Warriors posted a 46-0 shutout over Paris while securing a district title just 10 days earlier, and the Coyotes were again manhandled on arrival after making their second four-hour trip from Marion County.

Valle scored five touchdowns during the opening seven minutes of action, and three first-quarter interceptions against sophomore quarterback Alex Thomas prevented the Paris offense from crossing its own 25-yard line.

An even longer journey awaits on Saturday, as Valle (12-0) travels west to Miller (10-2) for a 1:30 p.m. quarterfinal matchup. The Cardinals (10-2) stunned Thayer 35-34 in double overtime on Monday night.

Luke Uding bounced outside for a 27-yard scoring jaunt on the Warriors’ first play from scrimmage after Jason Blum grabbed a leaping interception. The second touch by the junior tailback was equally productive.

Valle creatively turned a fourth-and-5 situation into six points when Uding took a delayed inside hand-off from motion receiver Nathan Geile, and darted 35 yards through a wide-open middle of the field.

Special teams increased the margin moments later when lineman Dylan Kist recovered a blocked punt by Uding in the endzone. Zach Weiler then patiently tiptoed the left sideline on a 47-yard punt return that made it 28-0.

Senior linebacker Christian Moulton stepped in front of a swing pass for a juggling interception on the subsequent series, and returned it 17 yards to continue the barrage of sudden scoring strikes.

Paris accomplished its first defensive stop late in the opening quarter, but the ensuing snap saw Michael Loida pick off Thomas, who continued to face heavy pressure in the pocket.

Valle instantly capitalized on the turnover with a 31-yard deep route from Greminger to Nick Brown, making it 42-0 with still 1:40 remaining.

Thomas ended the night with 35 yards on 4-of-27 overall, while all-state receiver Jon Gilliam was limited to one short catch. Tyler Dunlap rushed 20 times for 70 yards to pace the Coyotes (6-6).

Greminger capped a five-play, second-quarter drive with a 15-yard strike to Uding, and the Warriors enjoyed a 56-0 halftime advantage following a 20-yard TD reception that Loida cradled near the ground.

Sophomore kicker Kevin Abts missed a 28-yard field goal prior to the intermission, but was perfect on eight extra-point attempts.

The second-string Valle defense denied Paris on the doorstep during a 14-play march in the third quarter, as junior Brett Shuh corralled Dunlap for a loss on fourth-and-goal from the 2.

Derek Koller notched the Warriors’ fourth interception on the game’s final play, but a 3-yard surge from Dunlap with 6:12 left had already snapped the potential shutout.

Senior Hezzy Long delivered the Coyotes’ longest play of the night with a 21-yard reception. Paris beat St. Vincent 42-14 in the regional round to earn its rematch with Valle.

Paris   0   0   0   7 - 7

Valle  42  14   0   0 - 56

First quarter:

VC (7-0) - Uding 27 run (Abts kick), 10:54

VC (14-0) - Uding 35 run (Abts kick), 8:53

VC (21-0) - Kist blocked punt recovery (Abts kick), 7:42

VC (28-0) - Weiler 47 punt return (Abts kick), 5:57

VC (35-0) - Moulton 17 interception return (Abts kick), 5:00

VC (42-0) - Brown 31 pass from Greminger (Abts kick), 1:40

Second quarter:

VC (49-0) - Uding 15 pass from Greminger (Abts kick), 10:09

VC (56-0) - Loida 20 pass from Greminger (Abts kick), 6:50

Third quarter:

NO SCORING

Fourth quarter:

PAR (56-7) - Dunlap 3 run (Rojas kick), 6:12