CULVER – The Tippecanoe Valley football team dug too deep a hole early on to escape from Friday night.

A pair of early special teams miscues enabled host Culver Academies to start strong en route to topping the Vikings 27-19 in the season opener Friday night.

The host Eagles, who downed Valley twice last season (including 27-26 in the playoffs), built a 27-6 lead an then held off a late rally for Valley.

The Vikings, who went 1-9 last season, were making their debut under new coach Darin Holsopple.

Valley had a bad snap on a punt attempt and then a blocked punt which led to two CMA scores in the opening period of play.

CMA led 20-6 at halftime. Valley tallied in the second quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Brandon Webster.

The host Eagles led 27-6 after the third period of play. The Vikings scored a pair of touchdowns in the final quarter, one on a 30-yard touchdown toss to Webster from Alec Craig and the other on a 50-yard run by Rigo Butler.

CMA quarterback Michael Bocker was 6-7 passing for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Valley (0-1) hosts Western and CMA (1-0) plays at Indianapolis Marshall next Friday night.