Hornets ground game flattens Blue Devils

GALLIPOLIS — It was a slow start but a strong finish.

The Coal Grove Hornets fell behind in the first quarter but came back strong to beat the Gallia Academy Blue Devils 30-7 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.

Kaden Murphy led the Hornets’ ground game with 232 yards on 25 carries and 3 touchdowns as Coal Grove improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0in the OVC.

Coal Grove had 374 rushing yards on 47 attempts with Caden Turner running 13 times for 43 yards and a score while Rylan Smith had 37 yards on 3 attempts and a touchdown.

The Hornets’ defense limited the Blue Devils just 96 yards on the ground and 218 total yards.

Gunnar Peterson carried 8 times for 62 yards for the Blue Devils while Max Canaday was 13-of-22 passing for 122 yards.

Peterson scored on a 9-yard run and Nathan Shockey kicked the conversion and the Blue Devils led 7-0 with 10:20 in the first quarter.

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The Hornets answered with a 4-yard run by Turner  and it was 7-6 with 3:26 left in the quarter.

The Hornets took the lead for good with 6:54 on the second quarter clock and it was 12-7.

Coal Grove scored just before the end of the half when Murphy got loose on a 42-yard run and the lead was 18-7.

After a scoreless third quarter, Murphy scored on runs of 5 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter to blow the game open.

Coal Grove will host KIPP Columbus on Saturday.

Coal Grove 6 12 0 12 = 30

Gallipolis 7 0 0 0 = 7

First Quarter

Ga — Gunnar Peterson 9 run (Nathan Shockey kick) 10:20

CG — Caden Turner 4 run (run failed) 3:26

Second Quarter

CG — Rylan Smith 1 run (run failed) 6:54

CG — Kaden Murphy 42 run (run failed) 2;25

Fourth Quarter

CG — Kaden Murphy 5 run (run failed) 8:39

CG — Kaden Murphy 26 run (run failed) 3:49

———

CG Ga

First downs 24 21

Rushes-yards 47-374 20-96

Passing yards -1 122

Total yards 373 218

Cmp-Att-Int 2-3-0 13-32-1

Fumbles-lost 4-2 3-2

Penalties-yards 5-45 9-85

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Coal Grove: Kaden Murphy 25-232 3-TD, Caden Turner 13-43 TD, Rylan Smith 3-37 TD; Gallipolis: Gunnar Peterson 8-62 TD, Max Canaday 9-25, Brock Shelton 2-8, Enoch Patterson 1-1.

PASSING–Coal Grove: Rylan Smith 2-3-0 minus-1; Gallipolis: Max Canaday 13-32-1 122.

RECEIVING–Coal Grove: Caden Turner 1-2, Kaden Murphy 1-minus 3; Gallipolis: Brock Shelton 2-4, Enoch Pattrson 3-49 Alec Blair 6-46, Parker Burris 2-23.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.