VALLEY — A sign of relief.

After losing late leads and tying with other opponents this season, the Valley ninth-grade football team defeated Beauregard 18-6 on Tuesday night.

“It was an absolutely great team effort,” Valley ninth-grade head football coach Thomas Hill said in a message. “Everyone contributed to the win!”

The first score came from quarterback John White’s lone completed pass on the night as he soared the ball for 16 yards to fellow quarterback and team athlete M.J. Atkinson in the end zone early in the second quarter. Atkinson’s touchdown catch led Valley receivers with 16 yards in the game. Kalen Sherrell also caught a pass for 16 yards and Josh Glider caught one for 11 yards.

On the Rams’ first offensive play of the second half, running back TyKale Foreman broke free for an 80-yard touchdown. Foreman finished the night with 92 total rushing yards on eight carries.

Sherrell ended the third quarter with a minute remaining with a touchdown run himself. Sherrell finished the night with 46 yards on five carries. Jordan Benbrook also had a pair of carries for eight yards.

Despite giving up a touchdown in the final minute of the game, the Rams defense played extremely stingy against the Hornets.

Hunter Burdette racked up 16 tackles including two tackles for a loss. Benbrook had nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack. Dylan Earle had seven tackles, two tackles for a loss. Cross Colley had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss. Jay Brown had four tackles and one tackle for a loss. Jacquez Banks had four tackles, one tackle for a loss in addition to grabbing an interception.

“We need to keep building on our game and keep up our effort,” Hill said. “We will have to improve to defeat Benjamin Russell next week. Go Rams.”