Sports
Gallia Academy Flexes Muscles Over Chillicothe
By: Michael Drapcho
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In the opening week of SEOAL play, Gallia Academy improved to a 4-2 record, and Chillicothe fell to a 1-5 record Friday night as the Blue Devils defeated the Cavaliers 20-7.
After a scoreless first quarter, Cody Russell got Gallia Academy on the board with the first of his two rushing touchdowns. Neither team could muster up any offense for the rest of the half, though, and the game would go into halftime with Gallia Academy up 7-0 on Chillicothe.
The Cavaliers would tie the game up at 7-7 on a 50-yard touchdown rush by junior running back, Markel Cain, in the third quarter. Cain had 79 yards on 10 carries on the night. It looked as though Chillicothe was ready to seize control of the game after it recovered a fumble on Gallia Academy’s ensuing possession. The Cavaliers could not capitalize on the turnover, however, as the Blue Devils’ defense forced a punt.
After the punt, Gallia Academy started with the ball on their own 36-yard line. The Blue Devils then went on a 64-yard scoring drive. The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard run by Nick Clagg to take the Blue Devils down to the 23-yard line of Chillicothe.
Several plays later Wade Jarrell connected with Seth Atkins for a touchdown to put Gallia Academy up 14-7. Jarrell went 7-for-11 for 72 yards with one touchdown and one interception, which was only his first interception of the season.
Later in the third quarter, Cody Russell scored his second touchdown of the night to push the Blue Devils’ lead out to 20-7. That would be all Gallia Academy needed as its defense held Chillicothe scoreless for the rest of the game. Russell totaled 42 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns against the Cavaliers.
The Blue Devils’ defense was stingy all night, surrendering only 156 total rushing yards to the Cavaliers. They also forced Chillicothe quarterback, Ryan Mathis, to throw two interceptions.
Next week Gallia Academy will face off against Portsmouth at home. Chillicothe will return home to play Warren.