Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — It was a game of big plays and key plays.

The Minford Falcons had more big plays than South Point as they topped the Pointers 49-19 on Friday in the season opener.

Minford scored on a long run, a long pass and a turnover en route to the win.

“The game was closer than the score. I was pleased with our effort,” said Pointers’ first-year coach Chad Coffman.

The Falcons scored twice in the first quarter on a 38-yard pass from Noah Gray to Chase Devore and a 1-yard run by Kody Kennedy.

The Pointers scored on an 11-yard pass as Brandin Jackson hit Elijah Adams with 11:48left in the half.

“We settled down at that point,” said Coffman.

Then came a big turning point as Michael Stiltner returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown and it was 21-6.

Stiltner came back with a 5-yard run to put the lead at 28-6.

But the Pointers answered quickly as Stephen Wagoner returned the kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and it was 28-13 at the half.

The Pointers lost their top lineman Andrew Munion in the first series of the game and Wagoner went down with an injury later in the game.

“We were like a MASH unit. We should have them back except for maybe one guy,” said Coffman.

The Pointers got within 28-19 when Reed Murnahan returned a blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown. Jordan Overstreet kicked the conversion with 7:10 on the clock.

But Minford took over from that point as Tyler Compton got loose on a 55-yard scoring run just before the end of the third quarter.

Gray then hit Shawn Gambill with a 9-yard scoring pass at the 9:27mark of the fourth quarter and Compton added a 10-yard scoring run with just 1:16 to play against the Pointers’ reserves.

Hunter Starr ran five times for 64 yards and Wagoner had seven carries for 23 yards.

Jackson was 4-of-11 for 80 yards and a touchdown. He had three interceptions. Joel Morrison was 1-of-1 for 3 yards.

Elijah Adams caught two passes for 22 yards and a TD. Drew Adams had one reception for 48 yards.

Tyler Compton ran 11 times for 153 yards and scored twice to lead Minford.

Minford 14 14 7 14 = 49

South Point 0 13 6 0 = 19

First Quarter

Mn — Chase Devore 38 pass from Noah Gray (Jacob Perry kick) 9:09

Mn — Kody Kennedy 1 run (Jacob Perry kick) 3:49

Second Quarter

SP — Elijah Adams 11 pass from Brandin Jackson (run failed) 11:48

Mn — Michael Stiltner 50 fumble recovery (Jacob Perry kick) 9:14

Mn — Michael Stiltner 5 run (Jacob Perry kick) 0:40

SP — Stephen Wagoner 98 kickoff return (Jordan Overstreet kick) 0:25

Third Quarter

SP — Reed Murnahan 14 blocked punt return (run failed) 7:10

Mn — Tyler Compton 55 run (Jacob Perry kick) 1:29

Fourth Quarter

Mn — Shawn Gambill 9 pass from Noah Gray (Jacob Perry kick) 9:27

Mn — Tyler Compton 10 run (Jacob Perry kick) 1:16