Tri-Valley poses with the District 11 Class A championship trophy and placard after beating Marian 3-0 in Friday's game in Hometown (Photo by Teddy Smith).

HOMETOWN — Nate Hillard came up clutch for Tri-Valley.

With 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the game still scoreless, Tri-Valley head coach Jeff Sampson sent his junior kicker onto the field for a rare 50-yard field goal attempt.

With the wind at his back, Hillard drilled a low line drive that split the uprights. The record-setting kick provided the game’s only points, lifting the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory over Marian in a District 2/11 Class A subregional semifinal.

The victory, coupled with Lackawanna Trail’s 50-6 win over Nativity in the other subregional semifinal, gave the Dawgs their second straight District 11 Class A championship. Tri-Valley (7-4) will visit Lackawanna Trail next Friday for the subregional championship game.

“Look, he’s been good all year … he’s money,” Sampson said of Hillard, the Schuylkill League’s leading scorer this season in boys’ soccer who also serves as the Tri-Valley placekicker in football. “I think he’s got four or five field goals, and he’s been flawless on his kicks.”

Heading into the matchup, several questions surrounded the game: Could either team find success through the air? Who would control the ground game? Would it mirror the defensive battle from Week 2, when Marian edged Tri-Valley 17-14? And would special teams once again make the difference?

On a windy night where both offenses struggled, defense and field position proved decisive. The teams combined for just 69 yards of total offense as gusts disrupted nearly every pass and punt.

Marian (7-4) had five first-half drives, four of which ended in punts. Tri-Valley had prime opportunities to score, starting drives at the Marian 14- and 34-yard lines, but came away empty after two punts and three turnovers on downs.

To open the second half, Tri-Valley methodically drove 56 yards, eating up seven minutes of clock, only for the drive to end with a fumble forced by Marian’s stingy defense.

After a Marian three-and-out and a short punt, Tri-Valley regained possession at the Colts’ 33-yard line. With no yards gained and facing fourth down, the Bulldogs decided to trust their kicker … enter Hillard.

The junior, who helped Tri-Valley reach the District 11 Class A soccer final, gave Tri-Valley its first lead of the night — and the only points of the game — with a booming 50-yard field goal.

Earlier in the game, Hillard had been sent out for a similar attempt, but a bobbled snap spoiled the opportunity.

“I was talking to my holder and snapper, and we were just going through the motions of how to fix what went wrong in the first half,” Hillard said. “We came out more confident. I warmed up early, stayed locked in, and it worked out.”

Added Sampson: “Anytime you put him on the field, it’s a makeable kick. I thought it was only about 36 or 37 yards until one of my assistants said it was actually 50. He’s great to have on the team.”

Marian threatened early in the fourth quarter but saw its drive stall on a fourth-down attempt near midfield thanks to a huge tackle for loss by Max Masser. On Marian’s final possession, Tri-Valley sealed the win with a fumble recovery, icing the game and punching their ticket to another district title celebration.

Sampson credited his players’ preparation and mindset for the difference between this win and their Week 2 loss.

“I think we came into Week 2 flat and unemotional,” he said. “This week, we had three or four great days of practice, and I could tell when they got off the bus and during pregame that they were focused.”

That focus paid off with a championship performance.

“It’s great … it’s never happened for me before,” Sampson said. “And it’s tremendous for these kids. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. They’re great kids, great personalities and they work hard. This is the reward for all that effort.”

Game Summary

District 2/11 Class A subregional semifinal

Tri-Valley 3, Marian Catholic 0

Tri-Valley (7-4)                     0               0               3               0  —      3

Marian  (7-4)                          0               0               0               0  —      0

TV — FG Hillard 50

Team Statistics

TV-MC

First Downs —- 9                8

Rushes-Yards — 37-90      24-48

Passes —- 1-10-0     6-14-0

Passing Yards —- 10      57

Total Yards —- 100      105

Fumbles/Lost —- 2-1      2-1

Penalties — 4-20      3-15

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Tri-Valley — Gemberling 16-53, Hatter 10-27, Porter 10-15, Masser 1-(-5) Marian — Dixon 14-39, Price 5-23, Tom 2-5, Tirpak 3-(19)

PASSING: Tri-Valley —- Porter 1-5-0, 10. Marian —- Tirpak 6-14-1, 57

RECEIVING: Tri-Valley — Masser 1-10. Marian — Price 4-40, Tom 1-18, Dixon 1-(-1)

INTERCEPTIONS: Tri-Valley — Troutman