Oskaloosa ? Oskaloosa High football has been on a backward roll as it heads into a 7 p.m. game tonight against Valley Falls.

First, the team lost its All-Delaware Valley League selection, senior cornerback/running back Todd Newell, to a season-ending injury.

Then, the team lost its first two games to Troy and Jefferson County North by an average of 60-7 while sustaining a list full of injuries.

“We’ve just kind of had one thing after another this year, but we’ve kept our heads on pretty well,” Oskaloosa assistant coach Scott Whaley said. “We’ve maintained a pretty good attitude. We’ve just battled injury after injury.”

The Bears (0-2) had seven players go down in a 67-12 loss Friday at Jeff North.

One bright spot for the Bears has been senior running back Travis Stalkfleet, who rushed for more than 100 yards last week. Other upperclassman that should play a key role tonight include junior offensive/defensive lineman Aaron Briggs, senior fullback/defensive lineman Dustin Stark and senior quarterback Tony Barnes.

Valley Falls (1-1) is coming off a 27-12 victory over Horton one week after losing to Doniphan West, 22-12. Senior quarterback Jeremy Lloyd, who threw three TDs in the Horton game, anchors the Dragons offense.

Oskaloosa would relish a victory, but walking away without another injury would be a victory in itself.

“They keep plugging away,” Whaley said. “For the most part, we’ve been positive.”