Gallia Academy and Point Pleasant face off in the Battle at the Bridge
By: Andrew Armorse
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GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Battle at the Bridge started off hot with Gallia Academy scoring on their second offensive play. Senior QB Brody Fellure found receiver Joey Darnbrough wide open behind the defense for a long touchdown.
Point Pleasant responded with a long drive of their own. They ran the ball down the field with plenty of success and senior QB Evan Roach punched it in from a short distance. Point Pleasant’s tying PAT attempt never had a chance with the snap going over the head of the holder keeping the score at 7-6.
The Blue Devils responded with another big play. Senior Mason Skidmore took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house breaking a couple tackles along the way giving them a 14-6 lead.
On the very next drive, Point Pleasant responded again. They controlled the tempo and continued to dominate the line of scrimmage. Early on in the second, freshman RB Caden Hill scored on a run and this time Point Pleasant completed the PAT making the score 14-13.
The score stayed this way for the rest of the first half, with both defenses locking down and neither team able to put much together. Gallia Academy intercepted an Evan Roach pass but couldn’t score before the half keeping the score at 14-13.
The third quarter was much of the same with neither offense able to put together a scoring drive. The Blue Devils missed a 37 yard field goal and that was the only scoring opportunity in the third.
Midway through the fourth, Gallia Academy had a fourth down in Point Pleasant territory and decided to go for it so they could keep running clock. Point Pleasant got the stop and the ball. They ran the ball in and converted the two-point conversion to take a 21-14 with 1:30 left in the game.
The Point Pleasant defense had been strong since midway through the first and needed one more stop to win. Gallia Academy had one more big drive left in them and scored late to make the score 21-20. Instead of kicking the PAT to tie the Blue Devils went for two and the win. They converted and ended up winning the game 22-21.
This Battle for the Bridge had all the energy you could want from this rivalry. The Bridge trophy is headed back to Gallipolis after another tightly contested game in this matchup.