Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — The Coal Grove Hornets’ defense just kept getting in the way.
When the South Point Pointers went to the air, the Hornets got in the way as they intercepted four passes and shut down the running game as they picked up a 25-7 Ohio Valley Conference win on Friday.
The Hornets defense dominated for the most part and the only touchdown the Pointers scored was by their defense.
The Hornets scored on the opening drive of the game sparked by a 29-yard run by Austin Stapleton.
Faced with third and 16 at the Pointers’ 26, Cory Borders hit Austin Stormes who made a nice catch for a touchdown. J.C. Damron hit the conversion kick and it was 7-0 at the 7:56 mark.
Trey Hicks picked off a pass and Coal Grove was back in business at the 49.
Borders and Jarren Hicks clicked on a 43-yard pass to the Pointers’ 6-yard line and three plays later Stapleton went in for the score from a yard out and it was 13-0 with 4:13 left in the half.
Justin Hicks came up with an interception for the Hornets on the first play of the second quarter that led to a 55-yard, six-play scoring drive capped with a 34-yard Borders to Justin Hicks screen pass and it was 19-0 with 9:34 to go in the half.
Coal Grove (2-2, 1-0) had another drive to the Pointers’ 6-yard line. But the South Point defense stiffened and put the Hornets in a fourth-and-goal at the 5.
Borders was forced to scramble and his desperation pass was picked off by Larry Fox who returned it 94 yards for a pick six with 2:35 on the clock.
Justin Collins kicked the conversion and the Pointers trailed 19-7.
The Hornets defense continued to stymie the Pointers’ offense in the second half and Coal Grove added one more scoring drive.
Stapleton did most of the work in the drive and capped it as he bolted 15 yards through the middle of the defense with 1:27 to play.
Stapleton had 172 yards on 25 carries.
South Point returned the ensuing kickoff to the Hornets’ 16, but again the defense rose to the challenge on an interception by Justin Hicks, his second of the game.
South Point had another drive to the Hornets’ 22 only to have Stormes intercept a pass in the end zone with 3:04 to play.
This Friday, Coal Grove hosts Chesapeake and South Point entertains Ironton in conference games.
Coal Grove 13 6 6 0 = 25
Home team 0 7 0 0 = 7
First Quarter
CG — Austin Stormes 26 pass from Cory Borders (J.C. Damron kick) 7:56
CG — Austin Stapleton 1 run (kick blocked) 4:13
Second Quarter
CG — Justin Hicks 34 pass from Cory Borders (kick failed) 9:34
SP — Larry Fox 94 interception return (Justin Collins kick) 2:35
Third Quarter
CG — Austin Stapleton 15 run (run failed) 1:27