PEDRO - Rock Hill grounded the Wellston Golden Rockets Friday by playing one of its best defensive games in nearly a decade.

The Redmen (4-1) earned a hard-fought 6-0 victory that left Coach Bob McCollister having flashbacks of his first tenure at Rock Hill.

"That was one of our greatest defensive efforts we have had here at Rock Hill in a number of years," McCollister said. "It was kind of reminiscent of a game where we beat South Point 10-7 in 1993."

Rock Hill tried to mix up the pass and run on its first possession but was forced to punt. Wellston (2-3) chewed up yardage and the clock on its first possession by calling 16 straight running plays, most to Rex Herrold who lead all backs with 136 yards in the game.

As the first quarter wound down, the Golden Rockets had a chance to take the lead with a fourth down on the Redmen 3-yard line but Kenny Elswick stuffed Herrold on the one.

Both teams entered the second quarter scoreless.

The Redmen started to get the offense rolling but bogged down at midfield and was forced to punt.

Rock Hill's defense stiffened but fumbled the ball on a punt return. Fortunately for the Redmen, Wellston returned the favor two plays later by fumbling the ball away.

On Rock Hill's next play, senior quarterback Steven Daily hit Roger Joseph with a 51-yard pass down the sideline. Four plays later Daily dove 1-yard on fourth down to give the Redmen a 6-0 lead, the only points of the game.

"You have to convert on those fourth downs," McCollister said. "When you get into those situations it does not have much to do with the coaches. You have to have kids who can make plays."

Neither team really got the ball moving in the second half. The Redmen had another scoring opportunity but Daily was picked off in the end zone. The Redmen continued its stifling defense by forcing two more punts in the quarter.

The fourth quarter was more of the same as seniors Mack Boles and Donald Cade broke up passes and helped force two more punts.

Overall, McCollister said he was pleased with the way all his players handled the pressure in a close game and is looking forward to next week.

The Redmen will start immediately preparing for the traditional offense of long-time rival Coal Grove as both teams start Ohio Valley Conference play, McCollister said.

"Coal Grove-Rock Hill is a great rivalry, one of the greatest in southern Ohio," he said. "I have coached a lot of places and this rivalry is right at the top of the list. We are really looking forward to it."

Wellston0000-0

Rock Hill0600-6

Second Quarter

RH - Steven Daily 1 run (kick failed) 4:17

First downs:Wel 12,RH10

Rushes-yards:Wel43-170,RH38-101

Passing yards:Wel38,RH89

Total yards:Wel208,RH190

Cmp-Att-Int:Wel 6-16-0,RH6-14-1

Fumbles-lost:Wel4-2,RH2-1

Punts-average:Wel6-33.2,RH6-33.3

Penalties-yards:Wel5-65,RH3-15

Individual Leaders

RUSHING - Wellston: Rex Herrold 33-136, Phillip Osborne 7-21, Jordan Lackey 3-13. Rock Hill: James Russell 19-43, Kenny Elswick 6-29, Dan Mullins 5-24, Donald Cade 1-10, David Stevens 1-3, Steven Daily 6-minus 8.

PASSING - Wellston: Jordan Lackey 6-16-0 38. Rock Hill: Steven Daily 6-14-1 89.

RECEIVING - Wellston: Josh Osborne 3-21, Steve Gillman 1-12, Rex Herrold 1-3, Phillip Osborne 1-2. Rock Hill: Roger Joseph 1-51, Nick Goody 2-21, James Russell 2-4, Micah Settle 1-13.