Big 1st quarter by Blue Devils proves too much for Pointers to overcome in finale

SOUTH POINT — The Gallia Academy Blue Devils built a big first quarter lead and went on to beat the South Point Pointers 34-7 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.

Max Canaday led the Blue Devils as he ran 19 times for 174 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for another score.

Gallia (4-6, 3-3) took the opening kickoff and went 70 yards in just 5 plays as Canaday got loose on a 45-yard touchdown run. Nathan Shockey kicked the point after and it was 7-0 at the 9:46 mark.

A bad snap on a punt gave the Blue Devils the ball at the Pointers’ 20-yard line. Another 5 plays later Parker Burris scored from 1-yard out and it was 14-0.

Following a South Point punt, the Blue Devils drove 74 yards ini 7 plays with Braden Howell got final yard and it was 21-0 with just 55 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Blue Devils fumbled at the South Point 34 and the Pointers recovered.

A 41-yard run by Davon Lewis got the ball to the Gallia 25 and 8 plays later the Pointers scored on a 2-yard run by Robert Napier.

Logan McFann kicked the conversion and it was 21-7 with 6:13 left in the half.

The Blue Devils reached the South Point 14-yard line only to have the drive stall and Shockley kicked a 30-yard field goal at the 5:32 mark and the lead was 24-7.

The Blue Devils drove to the South Point 25 to start the fourth quarter only to be intercepted by Napier.

However, Alex Blair intercepted a South Point pass on the next play and a penalty moved the ball to the South Point 12 yards line.

On second down, Canaday hit Blair with a 10-yard scoring pass. Cory Mock kicked the point after and the lead was 31-7 with 9:29 to play.

South Point turned the ball over on downs at the Gallia 49 and the Blue Devils took advantage of the field position to reach the 9-yard line when Shockey kicked a 26-yard field goal to cap the scoring with 3:29 left.

The Pointers (3-7, 1-5) finished with 182 total yards but turned the ball 4 times with 129 on the ground. Lewis had 52 yards on 8 attempts and Traylor had 7 carries for 36 yards.

Gallia Acad. 21 0 3 10 = 34

South Point 0 7 0 0 = 7

First Quarter

GA — Max Canaday 45 run (Nathan Shockey kick) 9:46

GA — Parker Burris 1 run (Nathan Shockey kick) 5:06

GA — Bryden Howell (Nathan Shockey kick) 2:55

Second Quarter

SP — Robert Napier 2 run (Logan McFann kick)  6:13

Third Quarter

GA — Nathan Shockey 30 field goal 5:32

Fourth Quarter

GA — Alex Blair 10 pass from Max Canaday (Cory Mock kick) 9:29

GA — Nathan Shockey 26 field goal 3:29

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GA SP

First downs 18 12

Rushes-yards 41-245 32-129

Passing yards 56 53

Total yards 301 182

Cmp-Att-Int 6-12-1 8-22-2

Fumbles-lost 5-2 4-2

Penalties-yards 2-15 7-75

Punts-average 1-40.0 2-32.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Gallia Academy: Max Canaday 19-174 TD, Brydon Howell 10-41, Parker Burris 10-42, Gunnar Peterson 1-3, Team 1-minus 15; South Point: Isaiah Traylor 7-36, Robert Napier 7-13 TD, Davon Lewis 8-52, K.J. McLain 1-2 Braden Jackson 1-0, Tavarian Cobarrus  2-9, Team 1-minus 20.

PASSING—Gallia Academy: Max Canaday 6-12-1 46 TD; South Point: K.J. McLain 8-20-2 53, Davon Lewis 0-2-0.

RECEIVING—Gallia Academy: Parker Burris 3-39, Alex Blair 2-17 TD, Jack Allison 1-0; South Point: James Carey 3-11, Robert Napier 2-14, Elye Patterson 1-10, Davon Lewis 2-18.

MISSED FIELD GOAL—None.