The A-C Valley football team will go into the offseason on a high note and with plenty of optimism for the future.

The Falcons rallied from an 8-6 halftime deficit to topple Conneaut Valley 18-16 to close the season with a victory Friday night.

“Nine of my 11 starters (on both sides of the ball) are returning,” said A-C Valley coach Chris McNany. “You look at that, and then you look at what we have coming up, and the future is looking up, is very bright for A-C Valley football.”

One of those players returning, Mike Suto, had a big return of his own against Conneaut Valley.

Suto scooped up a fumble and raced 92 yards for a touchdown to put the Falcons up 12-8.

Kevin Kaufman then gave A-C Valley (2-7) some insurance with a 6-yard TD run as the Falcons took an 18-8 lead into the fourth quarter.

Conneaut Valley had the ball down by two late in the fourth quarter, but A-C Valley held.

Kaufman also had three interceptions.

Suto rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries and Kodie Rose gained 79 yards on 16 carries, including a 6-yard TD run in the first quarter.

<B>Mars 4, Quaker Valley 3 — </B>Austin Heakins scored a pair of goals for the Planets (2-0) in this Thursday game. Ian Houk-Graves and Ed Schwadron added a goal each. Joe Bender and Craig Mazzotta both had two assists. Clayton Bouchard scored two goals for Quaker Valley.Mars plays at Serra Catholic Thursday.