MidValleySports.Com

Maranatha quarterback Eli Snyder fired three touchdown passes on Friday night and has 11 on the season.

By Tom Hendrickson

(Pasadena)- After a start to the season that made the U.S. economy seem robust, the Maranatha Minutemen, left for dead by many, have fought their way back relevance and the playoff picture with a 42-21 victory over Olympic League rival Valley Christian.

Pete Karavedas squad not only lost their first five games of the season, they also lost standout quarterback Andrew Elffers to a knee injury. Now winners of three of their last four, two of their last three in Olympic action they have rejoined the land of the living.

“Are seniors carried us tonight,” Karavedas said. “I’m proud of our sophomore quarterback Eli Snyder and the offensive line. Proud of this team fighting through adversity considering they have lost seven players to season ending injuries.”

The game turned with ten minutes to play in the second quarter and the score tied at 7-7. Valley Christian went for it on fourth and one from its own 29 but the Maranatha defense stopped them to take possession.

On the very next play Snyder went 29-yards to Troy French for the go ahead score. The two followed that up with another scoring play on the Minutemen’s next possession. That pitch and catch covered 25-yards, with French making an excellent grab over his shoulder in the back left corner of the end zone.

The final Snyder to French hook-up capped a three touchdown burst by Maranatha that over came an early 7-0 Crusader advantage.

With 3:41 to play in the first quarter, VC quarterback Jack Struiksma put his team on top with a 5-yard scoring toss to Clayton Granch.

The Minutemen tied it later in the quarter when Omar Younger (respect) scored on a 5-yard run.

After falling behind 21-7, Struiksma and Granch reunited this time for 70-yard scoring play and it was 21-14 at the break.

In the third quarter Maranatha blew it open. Snyder hit Nikko Dobbs, on a third and 23, for a 63-yard scoring pass. Early in the fourth Younger capped a 94-yard drive with a 1-yard run, and Baile McDavid closed out the scoring for the home team with a 13-yard jaunt to paydirt with a 8:43 left in the game.

The Crusaders were able to window dress the final score when Struiksma and Granch hooked up a third time for a score, this one went for 36-yards.

The Minuetmen improved to 3-6 on the season, 2-1 in the Olympic and have a date to earn a playoff date next week against Village Christian. For Valley Christian it was the end of the line of a very frustrating season as they fell to 2-6, 1-2 in league play. They drop the curtain on 2012 next week by hosting Whittier Christian.