Nov. 28--Josh and Peyton Roop's journey together is over and they couldn't have hoped for a better ending.
Peyton Roop ran for two touchdowns -- and broke the school's career rushing record for good measure -- in his high school finale as Tri-Valley steamrolled past Auburn 41-8 Friday in the Class 2A state championship at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.
That gave his dad Josh, the Vikings' ninth-year coach, his and the school's first state title.
"I've been with my dad throughout ever since he started coaching," Peyton Roop said. "It feels so great that we could do it for every Viking that's ever been here."
He was one of four Vikings who ran for touchdowns in the first half as Tri-Valley opened a 27-0 lead.
Tri-Valley ran for 325 yards even though its offensive line was giving up an average of 31 pounds per player to Auburn's defensive linemen.
"They got off the ball very well," Auburn coach Dave Bates said. "I did not think they would take it to us the way they did on both sides of the ball."
But Josh Roop wasn't surprised to see his front six of Foster Laake, Ben Elam, Cameron Elam, Alex Smith, Hunter Merritt and Matt Sorensen control the line of scrimmage.
"We've got incredible backs," Josh Roop said. "These guys are blessed and they're incredibly talented. I don't want to take anything away from them, but our offensive line has done it for us all year."
Brock Danko (8 carries, 101 yards), Hayden Long (10 carries, 53 yards) and Jake Steiner (3 carries, 22 yards) also ran for TDs for the Vikings, who scored on five of their first eight possessions.
For good measure, they also had a highlight-reel defensive touchdown when Tom Kinsella made six Auburn tacklers miss en route to an 81-yard interception return.
It was that kind of day for the Vikings, who triggered the running clock with Peyton Roop's second TD run. That made it 41-0 with 2:53 left in the third quarter and also made Roop the school's all-time rushing leader with 3,806 yards.
It was yet another milestone for the Roops, who made their first state final in 2013, losing 28-21 to Lena-Winslow in the 1A championship with Peyton as the sophomore quarterback.
"Two years ago, we were looking up, we were just happy to be here," Peyton Roop said.
This time, they had a lot more to be happy about: a perfect season capped by a title in the Roops' final game together.
mclark@tribpub.com
Player of the game: Peyton Roop, Tri-Valley, 137 rushing yards, 2 TDs.
Key performers: Tri-Valley, Brock Danko, 101 rushing yards; Cameron Elam, 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks. Auburn, Drew Chance, 126 passing yards.
