Josh Morrison

josh.morrison@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — With a second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference title in their sights, the Coal Grove Hornets ran away from the South Point Pointers 54-10.

The Hornets (6-3, 5-0) amassed 466 total yards on offense with 402 coming on the ground.

“Our kids have been battle tested and played some really good teams early on this season, and I felt that would help us coming into the league schedule,” Coal Grove coach Dave Lucas said.

“Our kids trust the system, and they know that if they do what they’re supposed to do; we have a chance to win the game. Our line is playing really well right now, and they are not missing some of those assignments that were missed early in the year. I would love to get a chance to take this team and play next week (in the playoffs).”

Coal Grove jumped out to a quick lead on the second play of the game when Brandon Hogsten scampered 45 yards. The two-point conversion was good, and the score was 8-0 with 11:11 to go in the first quarter.

After forcing a South Point punt, the Hornets moved quickly again as Kyle Estep capped a 4-play, 45-yard drive with an 8-yard run. The two-point conversion was no good and the score was 14-0 with 6:17 to in the first quarter.

A South Point fumble on fourth down enabled the Hornets to extend the lead to 22-0 on a 30-yard run by Brandon Hogsten. Isaiah Gunther added the 2-point conversion with 1:30 to go in the first.

Hogsten led the Hornets with 126 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns.

After a Pointers’ fumble late in the quarter, Coal Grove started a drive that spilled over into the second, and Tanner Murphy capped the drive with a 6-yard run. Kyle Estep added the two-point conversion to make the score 30-0 with 10:55 to go in the first half.

South Point (1-9, 1-4) got on the board with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Jesse Lien to make the score 30-3 with 4:44 to go in the second quarter. The drive was highlighted by a 44-yard run by James Leonard.

Coal Grove added another touchdown before the half when Alex Bare found the end zone from 5 yards out to make the score 36-3.

Bare added two touchdowns in the third quarter on a 38-yard run and a 35-yard fumble return to extend the lead to 48-3 with 7:21 on the clock.

Bare finished the game with 69 yards on 7 carries with three touchdowns. He was also 4 of 8 passing for 64 yards.

South Point cut the score to 48-10 with 4:01 to go in the third when Gage Townson found Austin Majher who was able to dive and drag his toes for a 22-yard touchdown reception. Lien added the extra point.

The Hornets set the final score at 54-10 on the second touchdown run of the night from Murphy who capped a 10-play, 55-yard drive with a 5-yard run.

Estep added 51 yards on seven carries with a touchdown, and Gunther had 45 yards on 5 carries.

Leonard led the Pointers with 46 yards on 12 carries, and Townson added 27 yards on eight carries. Townson had 99 yards on 5 of 11 passing with a touchdown.

“The kids played their hearts out tonight and continued to fight all night,” South Point coach Rick Marcello said. “I can’t say enough about the seniors that we had this season. They gave everything they had, and exhibited the pride of playing for South Point.”

South Point 0 3 7 0 = 10

Coal Grove 22 14 12 6 = 54

First Quarter

CG – Brandon Hogsten 45 run (Hogsten run) 11:11

CG – Kyle Estep 8 run (run failed) 6:17

CG – Brandon Hogsten 30 run (Isaiah Gunther run) 1:30

Second Quarter

CG – Tanner Murphy 6 run (Kyle Estep run) 10:55

SP – Jesse Lien 30 FG 4:44

CG – Alex Bare 5 run (run failed) 2:22

Third Quarter

CG – Alex Bare 38 run (kick failed)

CG – Alex Bare 35 fumble return (kick failed) 7:21

SP – Austin Majher 22 pass from Gage Townson (Jesse Lien kick) 4:01

Fourth Quarter

CG – Tanner Murphy 5 run (kick failed) 8:13

Team Statistics

SP CG

First downs 8 21

Rushes-yards 34-81 46-402

Passing yards 99 64

Total yards 180 466

Cmp-Att-Int 5-13-1 4-8-0

Penalties-yards 5-45 9-73

Punts/Avg. 2-20.0 0-0.00

Individual Leaders

RUSHING – South Point: James Leonard 12-46, Gage Townson 8-27, Austin Majher 11-9, Josh Browning 3- minus 1; Coal Grove: Brandon Hogsten 7-126 2-TD, Alex Bare 7-69 2-TD, Kyle Estep 7-51 TD, Isaiah Gunther 5-45, Tanner Murphy 3-21 2-TD, Ian McFarland 5-27, Austin Ruggles 5-27, Cody Pennington 2-16, Sid Tucker 4-14, Greg Carper 1-6.

PASSING – South Point: Gage Townson 5-11-1 99 TD, Austin Majher 0-2-0; Coal Grove: Alex Bare 4-8-0 60.

RECEIVING – South Point: Austin Majher 2-41 TD, Reed Murnahan 1-31, James Leonard 1-14, Trent Allen 1-13; Coal Grove: Conor Markins 2-54, Joe Akers 1-6, Isaiah Gunther 1-4.