Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — A short field means short scoring drives, and short scoring drives mean trouble in short order.
The Gallipolis Blue Devils took advantage of two bad snaps on punts to get two short scores and an interception return for a touchdown helped added fuel to the fire for an early lead as they beat the Rock Hill Redmen 48-7 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.
Rock Hill held on downs to start the game and then began a drive to the Blue Devils’ 22.
But on fourth down, quarterback Brayden Friend was hit while throwing a short pass and Trent Meadows intercepted it and returned it 69 yards for the touchdown and it was 6-0.
Rock Hill was forced to punt on its next series and a bad snap gave the ball to the Blue Devils’ at the Redmen 11. Two plays later, Cade Roberts ran 5 yards for the score and Noah Vanco’s conversion pass to Ben Cox made it 14-0.
The next series was almost like an instant replay as Rock Hill was forced to punt and the snap rolled back to the punter again to give the ball to Gallipolis at the 13.
Roberts ran the 13 yards on the ensuing play and it was 21-0.
Gallipolis (8-0, 5-0) got another interception by Trent Johnson who returned it the Rock Hill 21.
Three plays later, Vanco hit Donevyn Woodson with a 15-yard swing pass and it was 28-0.
Rock Hill (1-7, 1-4) drove deep into Gallipolis territory before running out of time with the ball at the 25.
The Redmen began a drive to midfield only to fumble the ball away.
Gallipolis then went 62 yards in seven plays with Briar Williams going the final yard for the touchdown. Michael Beasy carried the ball five times for 25 yards in the drive.
Rock Hill got a break when the Gallipolis punter went to a knee to field a punt and was down at the 32.
Four plays later, Logan Hankins ran through the defense for a 9-yard scoring run. Tristan Delong kicked the conversion and it was 35-7.
The second units finished up with the Blue Devils getting a 1-yard scoring run by quarterback Brody Fellure and 21-yard swing pass to Mason Skidmore.
Rock Hill had 174 yards rushing with T.J. McGinnis getting 70 yards on 15 carries and Hankins 40 yards on 11 attempts.
Gallipolis ran for 160 yards and threw for 64 to give them 224 total yards.
Next Friday, Rock Hill visits Chesapeake and Gallipolis host Ironton.
Gallipolis 6 22 7 13 = 48
Rock Hill 0 0 0 7 = 7
First Quarter
Ga — Trent Meadows 69 interception return (run failed)
Second Quarter
Ga — Cade Roberts 6 run (Ben Cox pass from Noah Vanco)
Ga — Cade Roberts 13 run (Andrew Toler kick)
Ga — Donevyn Woodson 15 pass from Noah Vanco (Andrew Toler kick)
Third Quarter
Ga — Briar Williams 22 run (Andrew Toler kick)
Fourth Quarter
RH — Logan Hankins 9 run (Tristan Delong kick)
Ga — Brody Fellure 1 run (Caleb Geiser kick)
Ga — Mason Skidmore 21 pass from Brody Fellure (kick failed)
——
Ga RH
First downs 14 14
Rushes-yards 18-160 47-174
Passing yards 64 12
Total yards 224 186
Cmp-Att-Int 8-9-0 1-5-2
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 1-5 3-25
Punts-average 0-00.0 1-13.0
——
Individual Leaders
RUSHING — Gallipolis: Briar Williams 1-14, Cade Roberts 6-18, Michael Beasy 7-37, Carson Call 1-22, Donevyn Woodson 1-5, Brody Fellure 3-50, Caleb Geiser 3-27, team 1-minus 13; Rock Hill: T.J. McGinnis 15-70, Logan Hankins 11-40, Owen Hankins 9-25, Brayden Friend 5-15, Skyler Kidd 1-10, Brayden Malone 1-9, Chase Delong 2-3, Hunter Blagg 1-1, Trenton Williams 1-minus 3, Brock Friend 1-4.
PASSING — Gallipolis: Noah Vanco 6-7-0 36, Brody Fellure 2-2-0 28; Rock Hill: Brayden Friend 1-4-2 12, Hunter Massie 0-1-0.
RECEIVING — Gallipolis: Donevyn Woodson 3-9, Ben Cox 2-25, Briar Williams 1-2, Evan Rodgers 1-7, Mason Skidmore 1-11; Rock Hill: T.J. McGinnis 1-12.