Staff photo / Brian Yauger Pymatuning Valley senior Sean Croston stiff-arms Grand Valley’s Tony Williams during Friday’s victory over the Mustangs.

ANDOVER — Entering Week 10, Pymatuning Valley sat at the 12th seed and controlled its own destiny. The task was simple. Win and you’re in the playoffs.

All they had to do was beat hated Ashtabula County rival Grand Valley, with the added bonus of ending the Mustangs’ season, who needed a win and a little help to see Week 11.

The Lakers were happy to oblige, dispatching the Mustangs, 38-0, in the regular season finale.

“Our guys all week, they practiced hard,” Pymatuning Valley coach Neal Croston said. “We had that feeling when you knew that they were going to play hard and physically, we just had to play disciplined. We took it to them in that first half, and it was nice to coach the second half and get some of our younger guys in.”

Pymatuning Valley wasted little time getting on the board, driving down the field through the cold October rain, culminating in a 17-yard run from Kasen Bailey.

On the next possession, it was Justin Britton calling his own number. Britton, half of the Lakers’ dynamic duo at quarterback, scampered 11 yards into the end zone.

After stalling the Grand Valley offense again, the Lakers poured it on. Britton connected with Jayce Fulkman through the air on a 17-yard strike.

On the ensuing possession, Bailey, the other half of Pymatuning Valley’s quarterback duo, struck through the air, hitting Croston on a 15-yard catch and run.

Before the end of the first half, Bailey pounded the ball in at the goal line to give the Lakers a 35-0 advantage at the half.

A 24-yard field goal from Padraig Ferrie was the lone Pymatuning Valley score in the second half.

Despite all the offensive success, it was the Lakers’ defense who stole the show.

“They played so physically,” Neal Croston said. “We had our best practice Tuesday. The communication (was excellent). They’re calling out the plays. They knew what was going on. (Grand Valley) ran those jets early. We smacked them up on those, so we took away their bread-and-butter plays.”

Mustangs coach Matthew Rosati’s first year at the helm comes to a close with a 5-5 record.

“They’re fast, and they’re physical. They did a really nice job flying to the football, you know, they were just better than what we were,” Rosati said. “The weather didn’t help as much, but it is what it is. They played really well. I give a lot of credit to Pymatuning Valley. They were very well-prepared and played really hard.”

Rosati is expecting big things next season from his team.

“We are extremely excited for what’s coming,” he said. “Obviously, things didn’t go the way that we wanted to with a lot of the guys that weren’t able to continue the season. That was a disappointing part of it, but their work ethic, their attitude is excellent, and you know, we started five freshmen tonight defensively. They’re good, and they’re going to be really good. We’re very excited for what the future is going to be.”

Pymatuning Valley will qualify for the postseason, projected to finish anywhere between sixth and 12th in the region.