Sports
Point Pleasant Rolls Over Gallia Academy in “Battle of the Bridge” 58-3 [VIDEO]
By: Josh Vermillion
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The renewal of the “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry between Gallia Academy and Point Pleasant did not turn into one of the exciting battles of the past as the Big Blacks came out on top by a score of 58-3.
The last time these two teams played back in 2008, the Blue Devils (2-3) recovered a late-game fumble and returned it for the game-winning touchdown. This time around, the game was not that close as Point Pleasant (5-0) dominated every facet of the game.
Both teams have been preparing for this rivalry game all week, and Gallia came out fired up. On the first play from scrimmage, junior quarterback Kole Carter hooked up with fellow junior Eric Ward for 36 yards. However, the Point Pleasant defense held strong and forced a punt.
Once the Big Blacks got the ball, the onslaught began. The Big Blacks started fast on their first possession as the tandem of senior quarterback Aden Yates and junior running back Cody Mitchell worked the ball down the field. Together, they led the team on an eight-play, 89-yard drive down the field, which was capped off with an eight-yard touchdown run by Mitchell.
A single first down followed by a punt was a recurring theme for the Blue Devils, and giving the ball back to Mitchell and the Big Black offense didn’t work out too well for Gallia.
The second Point Pleasant possession was all Cody Mitchell. He started off with back-to-back runs of 14 and 32 yards, and then completed the three-play drive with a 44-yard touchdown reception to put the Big Blacks up 14-0.
Mitchell didn’t slow down there. After another first down and punt by Gallia, the Big Blacks had the ball back and were driving down the field when things took a scary turn.
On a short run up the middle by Mitchell, Gallia’s junior defensive end Brett Johnson suffered an apparent neck injury and had to be carted off the field by paramedics. An update on his status was not provided after the game.
After the injury timeout, it was back to football. Mitchell once again was the one capping off the drive, this time on a run from five yards out to put the Big Blacks up 21-0.
The two-headed monster of Yates and Mitchell dominated the game overall. Yates finished with a career best 118 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one of which went for a touchdown. Mitchell continued his dominant season as he finished with 247 rushing yards and five total touchdowns in the game.
Point Pleasant has both the top-ranked offense and defense in West Virginia AAA, and those were on display once again tonight. They held Gallia’s offense to just 93 total yards, including only 16 on the ground.
The Big Blacks’ thrashing of Gallia gave them their first victory against the Blue Devils since 1998, and more than avenged the loss they suffered in 2008.
Point Pleasant will host Parkersburg South (3-1) next week, while Gallia returns home for a matchup with Belfry (Ky.) (4-1).
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