Pointers beat Lions for 2nd straight win
Published 1:28 am Friday, September 1, 2017
Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com
SOUTH POINT — After going winless in 10 games last season, the South Point Pointers have found out what it’s like to win.
And they seem to like it.
The Pointers used a strong defense and key offensive plays to win their second straight game in as many tries as they beat the Boyd County Lions 20-12 on Thursday.
“They kept us in the game. We shoot ourselves in the foot so many times on offense,” said Pointers’ coach Chase Kratzenberg.
“Give credit to Boyd County. They had a good game plan. But our kids played hard and I’m proud of their effort. I’m happy for the kids and I’m happy for the staff to be 2-0.”
South Point took an early lead when Jeremy McMillian ran 3 yards for a touchdown four minutes into the game. Austin Webb kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
The Lions scored on a fourth-and-9 play when quarterback Ethan Cox avoided a heavy rush and hit Thomas Salyer who made a one-handed catch and run for a 19-yard touchdown pass play. The conversion failed.
Boyd County attempted a 35-yard field goal that fell just short as time ran out in the first half.
The Lions (0-2) outgained the Pointers 276-to-103 in total yards for the game including 158-to-16 in passing, but the Pointers defense bent but did not break.
The Pointers needed just three plays to score early in the second half.
Quarterback Joel Morrison hit Cade Brandt with a 16-yard scoring pass and it was 13-6 with 10:59 on the clock.
The score was set up when South Point recovered an onside kick-off to start the half and the Lions were called for a personal foul that put the ball at the Boyd County 30-yard line.
Boyd County cut the deficit back to one point on a 1-yard run by Donaven Whitehead four seconds into the fourth quarter and it was 13-12.
The Lions got the ball right back but Brandt came up with a 35-yard pick six and Webb’s conversion kick made it 20-12 with 9:10 to play.
Boyd County managed to drive to the South Point 26, but the Pointers defense held on downs with 6:16 to play.
The Lions forced the Pointers to punt from their 30 with 3:47 to play. They got to the South Point 40 with 32 seconds left only to have the Pointers’ John Kuhn get an interception to seal the win.
South Point visits River Valley next Friday.
Boyd County 6 0 0 6 = 12
South Point 7 0 6 7 = 20
First Quarter
SP — Jeremy McMillian 3 run (Austin Webb kick) 8:03
BC — Thomas Salyer 19 pass from Ethan Cook (kick failed) 0:00
Third Quarter
SP — Cade Brandt 16 pass from Joel Morrison (kick failed) 10:59
Fourth Quarter
BC — Donaven Whitehead 1 run (kick fails) 11:56
SP — Cade Brandt 35 interception return (Austin Webb kick) 9:10
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BC SP
First downs 13 8
Rushes-yards 42-118 32-87
Passing yards 158 16
Total yards 276 103
Cmp-Att-Int 14-25-2 4-8-1
Fumbles-lost 6-1 3-2
Penalties-yards 9-75 7-65
Punts-average 2-37.0 5-32.8
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Individual Leaders
RUSHING—BC: Donaven Whitehead 12-55, Ethan Cox 12-35, Thomas Salyer 4-14, Steele Workman 6-11, Seth Edmoundson 4-6, Logan Lunsford 1-minus 1, team 3-minus 2; SP: Joel Morrison 17-48, John Kuhn 11-37, Jeremy McMillian 3-5, Cade Brandt 1-minus 3.
PASSING—BC: Ethan Cox 14-25-2 158; SP: Joel Morrison 4-8-1 16.
RECEIVING—BC: Thomas Salyer 6-84, Donaven Whitehead 3-33, Steele Workman 3-32, Landon Meade 2-9; SP: Cade Brandt 2-18, Donte Wright 2-minus 2.