Last season, the Paw Paw football program had a chance to get state powerhouse Detroit Country Day on its schedule, and head coach Matt Stephens didn't hesitate.
"A year ago when we had the opportunity to schedule them, we thought it would be a great look for us to have a program as high quality as them come over right before the postseason," Stephens said.
Paw Paw getting set to square off with Detroit Country Day at Falan Field! pic.twitter.com/H3HLvl5kVe
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) October 17, 2020
The Red Wolves knew they were going to be in for a battle as they entered with a 4-0 record, while the Yellow Jackets forfeited a week four game with Armada due to COVID-19.
Country Day would lead 17-0 going into halftime and scored again to start the third quarter on a blocked punt return by senior Joe Miller.
Paw Paw junior Cullen Sylvester would answer, however, on the next drive with a 21-yard touchdown run to make it 24-7.
On the next Red Wolves possession, junior kicker Jose Valverde would boot a 51-yard field goal that just had the distance, a new school record.
"As soon as I went out there, my confidence was good," Valverde said, "I had a bit of a cross wind so just thought hit it hard, you know, and I just have to thank coach for having that confidence in me for letting me kick the field goal."
Country Day 24
— FOX 17 Blitz (@FOX17Blitz) October 17, 2020
Paw Paw 10
10:21 left | 4th Q
Red Wolves kicker Jose Valverde hits a school record 51-yard field goal! 👀 pic.twitter.com/iomp9jZEeB
The Yellow Jackets would find the endzone two more times before Paw Paw junior Caleb Bastian scored with just eleven seconds left.
Country Day would take a knee and wrap up a 37-17 victory, improving them to 3-0 on the season.
Meanwhile, the Red Wolves will play at unbeaten Edwardsburg in week six in a big Wolverine Conference showdown.
