Josh Morrison

josh.morrison@irontontribune.com

 

South Point— South Point’s D’Angelo Palladino scored two touchdowns and had 155 yards rushing, and the Pointers’ defense forced three turnovers that ended in touchdowns as they posted a 41-6 win over the Rock Hill Redmen, giving Pointers’ coach Rick Marcello his first career win.

“We knew that we were going up against a good running team, and we made some adjustments and our kids were able to build some confidence on defense. We have been focusing all year on 11 men to the ball, and we were able to execute that tonight,” Marcello said.

Rock Hill (0-7, 0-2) took the opening possession down to the South Point 31, but quarterback Gabe Marzicola was stripped and South Point’s Gage Townson scooped the fumble and raced down the sideline 53 yards to the end zone.

Jesse Lien added the extra point to give the Pointers a 7-0 lead with 3:37 to go in the first.

After a Rock Hill punt to open the second quarter, South Point added to the lead when Palladino found a crease and scampered in from 48 yards out. Lien added the extra-point to give the Pointers a 14-0 lead.

After forcing Rock Hill punt on their next possession, Palladino capped a 4-play, 54-yard drive with a 31 yard run. Lien added the extra point to make the score 21-0 with 5:27 to go in the first half.

South Point (1-6, 1-1) would increase the lead when James Leonard capped an 8-play, 55-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown. The extra-point was blocked to make the halftime score 27-0.

Leonard finished the game with 29 yards on nine carries.

After a South Point fumble to open the second half and a Rock Hill punt, South Point was forced to punt. However, a bad snap on the punt resulted in the Redmen taking over at the South Point 11-yard line.

On the next play, Chance Blankenship found the end zone. The extra point was good and the score was 27-7 with 8:14 to go in the third.

Blankenship finished the game with 92 yards on 16 carries to lead the Redmen.

Facing a fourth down early in the fourth quarter, Pointers’ punter Jesse Lien launched a 49-yard punt and pinned the Redmen at the 1-yard line.

Eight plays later, South Point’s Larry Brandon intercepted Rock Hill quarterback Gabe Marzicola and returned it 11 yards for the score. Austin Majher found Josh Browning for the two-point conversion to make the score 35-7 with 6:54 to go in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Jacob Damron picked up a fumble and returned it 64 yards to set the final score of 41-6.

“I have to give our offensive line credit because they were able to give our running backs some space, and credit our backs for making plays when they were able to get out in space,” Marcello said.

Shane Harper added 78 yards on 22 carries for Rock Hill.

Rock Hill travels to River Valley next week and South Point will host Chesapeake.

Rock Hill 0 0 7 0 = 7

South Point 7 20 0 14 = 41

First Quarter

SP- Gage Townson 53 fumble return (Jesse Lien kick) 3:37

Second Quarter

SP- D’Angelo Palladino 48 run (Lien kick) 9:23

SP- D’Angelo Palladino 31 run (Lien kick) 5:27

SP- James Leonard 7 run (kick failed) 0:25

Third Quater

RH- Chance Blankenship 11 run (kick failed) 8:14

Fourth Quarter

SP- Larry Brandon 11 interception return (Browning pass from Majher) 6:54

SP- Jacob Damron 64 fumble return (kick failed) 4:25

RH SP

First downs 13 10

Rushes-yards 48-171 36-176

Passing yards 0 9

Total yards 171 185

Cmp-Att-Int 0-3-2 2-5-0

Penalties-yards 7-58 7-55

Punts-average 4-18.8 4-26.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Rock Hill: Chance Blankenship 16-92, Shane Harper 22-78, Jordan Blagg 3-24, Brandon Blankenship 1-7, Gabe Marzicola 6- minus 30; South Point: D’Angelo Palladino 14-155, James Leonard 9-29, Jacob Damron 3-14, Josh Browning 1-4, Gage Townson 6-1, Team 2-minus 10, Jesse Lien 1-minus 17.

PASSING – Rock Hill: Gabe Marzicola 0-2-2, Chance Blankenship 0-1-0; South Point: Gage Townson 2-5-0 9.

RECEIVING – Rock Hill: None; South Point: Austin Majher 1-8, Josh Browning 1-1.