Ben Byington had a kickoff return for a touchdown and two receiving scores tonight for the Green Valley football team in a 24-14 playoff victory over host Basic.
The victory sends the Gators into the Class 5A-Division II Southern Regional championship game next week against Faith Lutheran. It also avenges a loss from early in the season against Basic in the annual Henderson Bowl rivalry.
“This time around, the kids had their eyes open and were ready to bring their best for Basic,” Green Valley coach Clay Mauro said.
It will be a similar narrative next week against Faith Lutheran — another team the Gators lost to in the regular season.
“Both teams have stayed relatively healthy and have settled in on offense,” Mauro said.