Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — In a battle of power versus power, the Coal Grove Hornets flexed a little more late in the game.

The Hornets and Rock Hill Redmen battled each other with their power running games, but the Hornets added some key passing yards and capitalized on turnovers as they pulled away in the fourth quarter to post a 41-13 Ohio Valley Conference win Friday.

The Hornets (2-4, 1-0) racked up 328 yards rushing but also had 110 passing. Jesse Rigsby was 3-of-7 through the air and Conor Markins had all three receptions.

Sidney Tucker had his second straight big game for the Hornets. Tucker ran for 135 yards last week in his first start and followed that with 21 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Redmen.

Rock Hill (0-6, 0-1) trailed just 21-13 after three quarters thanks to its running game led by Chance Blankenship who carried 16 times for 142 yards. Quarterback Jonah Cox was 2-of-3 passing for 15 yards and ran 12 times for 64 yards.

Coal Grove took the opening kickoff and marched 73 yards in nine plays. A 28-yard run by Tucker and runs of 11 and 10 yards by Isaiah Gunther keyed the drive capped by Gunther’s 1-yard scoring run with 8:01 on the clock.

Jonathan Joseph kicked the conversion.

The Hornets extended the lead to 14-0 after a punt went out of bounds at their own 49.

Eight plays later Gunther scored from one yard out with 2:55 left in the half.

But a 43-yard run by Blankenship on the first play following the kickoff got the ball to the Hornets’ 26. Four plays later Cox threw to Austin Collins who made an acrobatic juggling catch for the touchdown.

Bryce Krum kicked the point after and it was 14-7 with 1:04 left.

Coal Grove wasn’t done, though. Rigsby and Markins hooked up on a 45-yard pass to the Rock Hill 19.

D.J. Miller ran for 2 yards and then Rigsby scrambled the final 17 yards for the score with 26 seconds on the clock for a 21-7 halftime lead.

After the Hornets turned the ball over on downs at the Rock Hill 38, the Redmen got back-to-back runs of 12 and 21 yards by Blankenship to reach the Coal Grove 29. Seven plays later Cox ran 1-yard for the score and the Redmen trailed 21-13 with 1:26 left in the quarter.

Coal Grove then began to take charge of the game.

Another 45-yard reception by Markins got the ball to the Rock Hill 28. The drive continued into the fourth quarter and Tucker scored on a 10-yard run with 10:15 left and it was 27-13.

Coal Grove got the ball back at its own 28 after a punt. The 72-yard drive took just four plays as Tucker bolted 42 yards for the score and it was 34-13 with 6:25 to play.

The Redmen fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff and Ian McFarland recovered at the 6-yard line. Tucker ran twice for 5 yards and then offensive guard Austen Pleasants — lining up in the jumbo package — went the final yard for the score with 4:39 left.

Coal Grove 7 14 0 20 = 41

Rock Hill 0 7 6 0 = 13

First Quarter

CG — Isaiah Gunther 1 run (Jonathan Joseph kick) 8:01

Second Quarter

CG — Isaiah Gunther 2 run (Jonathan Joseph kick) 2:55

RH — Austin Collins 12 pass from Jonah Cox (Bryce Krum kick) 1:04

CG — Jesse Rigsby 17 run (Jonathan Joseph kick) 0:26

Third Quarter

RH — Jonah Cox 1 run (kick fail) 1:26

Fourth Quarter

CG — Sidney Tucker 10 run (kick failed) 10:15

CG — Sidney Tucker 42 run (Jonathan Joseph kick) 6:25

CG — Austen Pleasants 1 run (Jonathan Joseph kick) 4:39

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CG RH

First downs 20 12

Rushes-yards 57-328 43-242

Passing yards 110 15

Total yards 439 257

Cmp-Att-Int 3-7-0 2-3-0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 4-4

Penalties-yards 4-30 3-20

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Coal Grove: Isaiah Gunther 10-43 2TD, Sidney Tucker 21-205, Jesse Rigsby 8-31, D.J. Miller 13-51, Austin Ruggles 1-0, Austen Pleasants 1-1 TD, Ian McFarland 1-1, Daniel Rutherford 1-minus 3, Jake Myers 1-minus 1; Rock Hill: Jonah Cox 12-64, Chance Blankenship 16-142, Drew McClaskey 3-0, Jordan Blagg 1-1, Jacob Malone 6-15, Shawn Wilds 3-17, Brady Knipp 1-5, Brandon Blankenship 1-minus 2.

PASSING—Coal Grove: Jesse Rigsby 3-7-0 110; Rock Hill: Jonah Cox 2-3-0 15.

RECEIVING—Coal Grove: Conor Markins 3-110; Rock Hill: Chance Blankenship 1-3 TD, Austin Collins 1-12.