Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

MINFORD — The singer Meat Loaf and South Point Pointers’ coach Rick Marcello both think two out of three ain’t bad.

But Marcello plans to work on that third item.

Marcello praised his team’s effort in two areas, but he knows the Pointers still need some work on offense after a 37-14 loss to the Minford Falcons on Friday in the season opener.

“Special teams were good. The defense was good. Now we have to turn it around on offense,” said Marcello. “We have the people, we just need some work.”

The Pointers were prepared to play the season with their “Air Raid” offense, but a season-ending knee injury to quarterback Gage Townson forced the Pointers to change gears a mere week before the season began.

The game was scoreless until Matt Joyce hit Sean Gambill with a 65-yard scoring pass with 8:22 left in the half to give Minford a 7-0 lead.

Plagued by four turnovers, the Pointers gave the ball back the Falcons who scored on a 3-yard run by Austin Daniels and it was 14-0 with 6:38 on the clock.

South Point didn’t roll over and quit. The Pointers answered with a 7-yard scoring run by Mason White. Jordan Overstreet kicked the extra point and it was 14-7 with 5:03 left in the half.

Minford got a 29-yard scoring run by Joyce less than two minutes later and Joyce kicked the extra point again for a 21-7 halftime cushion.

The Pointers came out and scored to start the second half on a 5-yard run by James Leonard. Alex Whitt booted the conversion and it was 21-14.

Leonard ran 11 times for 26 yards while quarterback Drew Adams was 10 of 30 for 92 yards. Stephan Wagoner had four receptions for 88 yards.

“We got new people and a new offense so our timing isn’t where we want. But we’re working on it,” said Marcello. “It was a little of everything. We dropped some passes, we overthrew some receivers, we turned the ball over. Again, it all goes back to timing and execution.”

Aron Alley ran 6 yards for a touchdown less than a minute later and the Falcons trailed 28-14.

A safety put the Minford lead at 30-14 and Zach Jenkins’ 2-yar scoring run with 6:59 to play capped the scoring.

The Pointers host Sciotoville East Friday.

South Point 0 7 7 0 = 14

Minford 0 21 9 7 = 37

Second Quarter

Mi — Sean Gambill 65 pass from Matt Joyce (Joyce kick) 8:22

Mi — Austin Daniels 3 run (Matt Joyce kick) 6:38

SP Mason White 7 run (Jordan Overstreet kick) 5:03

Mi — Matt Joyce 29 run (Joyce kick) 3:45

Third Quarter

SP — James Leonard 5 run (Alex Whitt kick) 11:19

Mi — Aron Alley 6 run (Matt Joyce kick) 10:25

Mi — Safety (Zach Adams tackled in end zone) 6:07

Fourth Quarter

Mi — Zach Justice 2 run (Matt Joyce kick) 6:59