Vikings top Panthers in ‘Battle of the Valley’

Posted 9/16/26

It’s been a strong start for the Valley Central Vikings, and even before they played their first Class AA football game, they already have something to show for their efforts.

The Vikings …

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Vikings top Panthers in ‘Battle of the Valley’

Posted

It’s been a strong start for the Valley Central Vikings, and even before they played their first Class AA football game, they already have something to show for their efforts.

The Vikings brought the Battle of the Valley helmet back home to Montgomery on Wednesday when they defeated the Wallkill Panthers 32-25 at Wallkill Senior High School’s Robinson Field.

The Vikings had lost custody of the helmet after a 27-0 loss last season. Despite the loss the Panthers lead the series, 14-12.

Jason Montgomery led the Vikings’ offense with 183 yards and three touchdowns, while Andrew Waite completed 13 of 17 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown pass. Triston White hauled in three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. Austyn Robb caught four passes for 55 yards.

The defense, meanwhile, held the Panthers to 169 yards of offense and forced three turnovers. Cole DeRonda made eighth tackles, three of which were for loss. He also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. Elijah Strother had an interception.

Alex Mikesh completed 10 of 17 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Panthers’ offense. R.J. Meyer caught seven passes for 104 yards and one touchdown. Quincy Rogers ran for a touchdown, and Ayden Larue returned a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Anthony Rose led the Panthers’ defense with 11 tackles. Jordin Arnold and Owen Miller each chipped in with eight tackles each. Anthony Daley made two tackles for loss, had a sack and a fumble recovery.

After two games, the Vikings have already matched last year’s win total, winning the first two games played under first-year coach Kyle Schneider. They also started 2-0 in 2024 in Scott Rumsey’s first of two seasons as Vikings coach. They finished 5-4 that season. Before that, their last 20 start was in 2014.

The Vikings will play two more non-league games hosting Our Lady of Lourdes on Friday and Frankin D. Roosevelt on Sept. 25 before opening Class AA play with a road game against the Kingston Tigers.

The Panthers, meanwhile, will seek their first victory on Friday when they host Poughkeepsie.