MINFORD — The Minford Falcons used a balanced rushing attack en route to a 35-12 win over a young South Point Pointers team.

“The guys played really hard, and I was really proud of our effort tonight,” South Point head coach Doug Shilot said.

“We had a surge defensively in the second half, and we forced a couple of turnovers that we were able to capitalize on. Overall, to be such a young group, I was pleased with the way the team battled tonight.”

Minford took the opening kickoff and moved to the South Point 28-yard line before being faced with a fourth down and six. A delay of game penalty on the Falcons moved the ball back to the 33.

However, Falcons quarterback Ethan Butcher avoided pressure and tip-toed the sideline for a 33-yard touchdown. Henry Allen added the extra-point, and it was 7-0 with 7:40 to go in the first quarter.

After a South Point punt, the Falcons next drive started at their own 12. Again, the Falcons converted a third and long when Mark Slone ran for a 29-yard gain.

On the next play, Butcher found Slone for a 50-yard connection down to the Pointers four and moved to the two when South Point was called for a penalty at the end of the play.

Tyler Gaines extended the Falcons lead on the next play from 2 yards out. Allen added the extra-point, and the score was 14-0 with 2:03 to go in the first. The drive covered 88-yards in five plays in 2:18.

After a scoreless second quarter, South Point got the ball to open the third quarter. The Pointers moved to the Minford 27-yard line, but an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over to the Falcons.

On the first play of the drive, Minford’s Jacob Piguet broke free for a 73-yard touchdown. Allen added the extra-point, and the score was 21-0 with 6:25 to go in the third.

The Falcons took over at the South Point 30 on their next possession and on the third play of the drive, Piguet found the end zone and the score was 28-0 with 2:39 to go in the third. Piguet finished the game with 82-yards rushing on six attempts with two touchdowns.

Minford recovered a fumble at the South Point 31-yard line and Butcher found receiver Slone, but South Point’s Kyle Dickess ripped the ball away from Slone at the 5-yard line and returned it to the Minford 35-yard line as the third quarter ended.

The Pointers got on the scoreboard when fullback Larry Brandon found the end zone from 7 yards out and it was 28-6 with 9:48 to go in the fourth.

The score was set up by two consecutive passes from Austin Majher to Brandon and Trey Campbell for 8 and 17 yards respectively. Brandon finished the game with 92 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown.

After the onside kickoff attempt by South Point was recovered by Minford, the Falcons moved the ball down to the South Point 23-yard line. Facing a third down, Falcons quarterback Ethan Butcher rolled to the left and looked to throw back to the right, but South Point linebacker Curtis Jackson tipped the pass into the air and fellow linebacker Josh Hamm picked the ball out of the air and returned it 57-yards to the Minford 13.

Two plays later, freshman running back R.J. McCarty weaved his way through the defense for a 14-yard score and the game was 28-12 with 5:29 to go in the fourth.

McCarty finished the game with 44 yards rushing on five attempts with a touchdown.

Minford’s final score came when Butcher returned an interception 45 yards for the score.

Senior quarterback Tevin Mitchell added 59 yards on 11 attempts and he was 1-1 passing for 25-yards. Will Hill added 36 yards on nine attempts for the Pointers.

South Point 0 0 0 12 = 12

Minford 14 0 14 7 = 35

First Quarter

M — Ethan Butcher 33 run (Henry Allen kick) 7:40

M — Tyler Gaines 2 run (Henry Allen kick) 2:03

Third Quarter

M – Jacob Piguet 73 run (Henry Allen kick) 6:25

M – Jacob Piguet 7 run (Henry Allen kick) 2:39

Fourth Quarter

SP – Larry Brandon 7 run (run failed) 9:48

SP – R.J. McCarty 14 run (run failed) 5:29

M – Ethan Butcher 45 interception return (Henry Allen kick (1:36)

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SP Min

First downs 10 12

Rushes-yards 47-235 27-262

Passing yards 50 97

Total yards 285 359

Cmp-Att-Int 3-6-1 6-8-1

Penalties-yards 5-34 6-35

Punts-Ave. 2-34.0 2-38.0

Individual Leaders

RUSHING –South Point: Larry Brandon 13-92 TD, Tevin Mitchell 11-59, R.J. McCarty 5-44 TD, Will Hill 9-36, Adam Muncy 2-8, Zach Alberts 3-3, Kyle Dickess 3- minus 3, Corey Crabtree 1-minus 4; Minford: Ethan Butcher 5-88 TD, Jacob Piguet 6-82 2-TD, Mark Slone 10-81, Tyler Gaines 6-11 TD.

PASSING –South Point: Tevin Mitchell 1-1-25, Austin Majher 2-5-25; Minford: Ethan Butcher 6-8-97.

RECEIVING –South Point: Trey Campbell 2-42, Larry Brandon 1-8; Minford: Mark Slone 2-76, Kyle Snyder 2-18, Brett Taylor 1-3, Jacob Piguet 1-0.