COAL GROVE -- The Coal Grove Junior Hornets defeated the Russell Red Devils in a hard-fought 16-8 win last Thursday.

The Hornets opened the scoring on their first possession as they drove 67 yards in four plays. Matt Cooper capped the drive with a 29-yard touchdown run and Andy Smith added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Russell came back to tie the game in the third quarter, but Coal Grove capitalized on a Red Devil turnover.

Recovering a fumble at the Russell 15-yard line, Coal Grove scored three plays later as Cooper scooted 7 yards for the TD. Zach Murphy hit Michael Lewis for the conversion and it was 16-8.

Cooper led the offense with 107 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Smith added 39 yards on six attempts as Coal Grove outrushed the Red Devils 156 to 111.

Lewis led the defense with 12 tackles.

Coal Grove hosts South Point at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in its homecoming game.