Sports

Nelsonville-York, riding a five-game winning streak, played host to a 3-4 Alexander Spartans squad on a frigid Friday night and won handily, 55-7.

 

Nelsonville-York  came into the game averaging 38.6 points per game, a total which they would surpass with 41 points before the half. At that point, Alexander had racked up more penalty yards (35) than offensive yards (33).

 

The Buckeyes took little time in getting on the board. After recovering an Alexander onside kick on the opening kickoff, the Buckeyes marched down the field on six carries, three of which were ran by Senior Running Back Clint Handa for 37 yards. The drive culminated in a five-yard run by Handa that would be the first score of the game.

 

Alexander had a chance to make a big stop and maybe change momentum on the next  Nelsonville-York possession, who had the ball on the 35 yard line looking at 4^thand 22.  However Joey Young would connect with Austin North down the sideline for a 29 yard gain for the first down. North would then take it in from five yards,  and the Buckeyes would never look back.

 

A controversial play took place about halfway through the second quarter when Joey Young’s sideways pass, fell to the ground. The play wasn’t blown dead, and was ruled a backward pass, and Josh Barnes scooped and scored from about 20 yards out for Alexander’s only score of the game.

 

A combination of runners for the Buckeyes gouged the overmatched Spartan defense all night. Between Handa, North and Young, the three would account for  278 yards on the ground on 30 carries. The three also accounted for six of the Buckeyes eight touchdowns on the evening.

 

Alexander will try their luck next week on the road at Wellston, while Nelsonville York travels to Vinton County to take on the Vikings.