Defense, Murphy keep Hornets undefeated in OVC race

COAL GROVE — When anyone talks about Coal Grove, it's always about their offense.

But on Friday night, the defense did all the talking.

The Hornet defense shut down South Point's rushing attack and came up with 3 interceptions, then Kaden Murphy scored 5 touchdowns as Coal Grove defeated the South Point Pointers 44-15 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Murphy scored 5 touchdowns all-told, but didn't have the high-powered numbers he normally has. Murphy finished the night with just 17 carries for 135 yards. But the senior back had two explosive touchdown runs of 32- and 34-yards during the first half.

Murphy also caught two passes from Rylan Smith, including a 39-yard swing pass that turned into six points in the final seconds of the first half to put the Hornets ahead 38-7 at the break.

Last week, the Hornets fell behind early but roared back in the second half to win against KIPP Columbus.

And early on, it felt like deja vu all over again when Caesyn Pope intercepted a pass on the second play of the game, giving the Pointers the ball at midfield.

The Pointers (3-5, 1-3 OVC) cashed in on the takeaway six plays later.

Landon Vance finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run down through the heart of the Hornet defense and Logan McFann added the extra point.

The score was set up on a clutch fourth down conversion pass by quarterback K.J. McLain to Elye Patterson for 20 yards.

But unlike last week, Coal Grove (6-2, 4-0) wasted no time responding as Murphy broke free off the left side of his line and scored. Caden Turner ran in the conversion try and the Hornets led 8-7 with 4:42 remaining in the first.

Coal Grove's defense began to flex its muscle on the next Pointer drive.

On a 3rd-and-14, Rylan Smith made an over-the-shoulder interception around midfield and returned the ball to the South Point 23.

Two plays later, Murphy found pay dirt again on a 14-yard run. Turner barreled in for the two points to extend the Hornets lead to 16-7.

Smith came up with his second pick of the night on South Point's next possession. This time it was a highlight reel play, as Smith made a one-handed grab along the sidelines for the pick.

The turnover turned into points again, as Murphy scored his third rushing score of the game to make it 22-7 in favor of the Hornets.

Another Pointer possession ended with a turnover when Logan Roberts came up with a pick on a tipped ball in front of the Coal Grove bench.

The Hornets converted the takeaway into points again with Murphy's fourth rushing score of the game. This time on a 4-yard run. Braydon Klaiber scored on an end-around for the two points to make the score 30-7.

In the second half, the Hornets got their lone score during the third quarter.

Freshman Gauge Craft scored on a toss sweep on a fourth-and-goal from 4 yards away. Craft helped set his score up with a 20-yard run during the drive to put Coal Grove inside the Pointers 10.

The Pointers found the end zone one final time in the fourth when Vance powered in from 6 yards out and ran in for the conversion to make the final score.

Coal Grove welcomes Fairland for their home finale next week. South Point heads to Portsmouth.

South Point 7 0 0 8 = 15

Coal Grove 16 22 6 0 = 44

First Quarter

KC — Landon Vance 15 run (Logan McFann kick), 8:01.

CG — Kaden Murphy 32 run (Caden Turner run), 4:42.

CG — Kaden Murphy 14 run (Caden Turner run), 3:08.

Second Quarter

CG — Kaden Murphy 34 run (kick no good), 9:18.

CG — Kaden Murphy 4 run (Braydon Klaiber run), 5:33.

CG — Caden Turner 31 pass from Rylan Smith (Caden Turner run), 0:16.

Third Quarter

CG — Gauge Craft 4 run (kick no good), 4:08.

Fourth Quarter

SP — Landon Vance 7 run (Vance run), 6:04.

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SP CG

First downs 10 14

Rushes-yards 17-61 36-218

Passing yards 93 33

Total yards 154 251

Cmp-Att-Int 15-24-3 2-3-1

Fumbles-lost 1-0 3-0

Penalties-yards 6-35 6-55

Punts-average 1-50.0 1-36.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING – South Point: Landon Vance 9-42 2-TD, Noah Fahey 2-4, Robert Napier 1-0, K.J. McLain 2-minus 12, Isaiah Traylor 2-32, Team 1-minus 5; Coal Grove: Rylan Smith 1-2, Braydon Klaiber 2-27, Case Webb 3-10, Braden Schug 3-11, Kaden Murphy 17-135 4-TD, Caden Turner 4-24, Gauge Craft 4-18 TD, Team 2-minus 9.

PASSING – South Point: K.J. McLain 15-24-3 93; Coal Grove: Rylan Smith 2-4-0 33 TD.

RECEIVING – South Point: Landon Vance 2-1, James Carey 4-27, Robert Napier 2-7, Ethan Hunt 2-7, Elye Patterson 1-20, Logan McFann 1-5, Levi Thornsberry 1-23; Coal Grove: Kaden Murphy 2-33 TD.

MISSED FIELD GOALS – None.