Gallia Academy smashes South Point cruising their way into the playoffs
By: Joshua Hoerner
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SOUTH POINT, Ohio (WOUB) – The Blue Devils cap off their regular season with a dominant victory over South Point 28-0.
The Gallia Academy Blue Devils were looking to finish the regular season on a high note, as they traveled to South Point on Friday night. A home playoff game was in the Blue Devils sight with a win. Meanwhile, The Pointers were looking to get their fourth win in Ohio Valley Conference play.
The rain had a huge factor on this game early and often. South Point’s opening drive was stopped due to a fumble. The Blue Devils took advantage of that fumble as Hudson Shamblin took in a two-yard touchdown run to make the score 7-0 Blue Devils early in the first quarter.
Right after that fumble, the Pointers fumbled again on their next possession. Gallia Academy took over on South Point’s 43-yard line. However, a false start penalty helped South Point get their first defensive stop of the evening, giving the Pointers offense the ball right back.
Two penalties stalled out the Pointers next offensive drive. Kenyon Franklin dropped the punt, but he scooped it right up and brought the ball in Pointer’s territory. After another big Shamblin run, Kenyon Franklin found the endzone on a 12-yard run, giving the Blue Devils a two-touchdown lead.
The Pointers needed a spark, and they looked to do it on special teams. Gage chapman fielded the kick and lateralled it to Eli Wilburn, who took it for a big return, but not without cost. He coughed up the ball and gave it right back to the Blue Devils, sending their offense back out with good field position.
However, the Blue Devils ensuing drive resulted in an interception by Davon Lewis. This turnover sparked the Pointers offense, setting themselves up in the redzone. A sack taken by quarterback Ethan Hunt stalled out any momentum just gained by the offense.
With a 14-0 lead, Hudson Shamblin decided to make that lead another touchdown. He found a seem on the outside and took it all the way home for an 84-yard touchdown. That touchdown extended the Gallia Academy lead to 21-0.
South Point looked to get points on the board for the first time. A 17-yard Wilburn run got the South Point offense into great scoring position. However, another Pointers turnover ended another great opportunity to put points on the board.
South Point’s Brayden Hanshaw hauled in a huge interception with less than a minute to go in the first half. A blindside block on the return of the interception set their offense back, and the Pointers couldn’t capitalize as the clock struck zero. 21-0 Blue Devils going into the half.
The weather had a huge impact on the first half. There were over 10 fumbles in the half alone, a lot of which were recovered by the team who fumbled. However, this was a huge reason why the Pointers couldn’t get their offense moving specifically.
We mentioned Hudson Shamblin’s name a lot so far, but his brother wanted in on the action as well. Hunter Shamblin scored the first Blue Devils touchdown of the second half, extending the lead to 28-0.
The two teams traded possessions all throughout the third and fourth quarters. Gallia Academy took the victory 28-0.
The Blue Devils move to 8-2 on the season. Their first-round playoff opponent will depend on seeding; however, the Blue Devils have a good chance to play the first round at home.
South Point drops to 5-5 on the year and will have to travel for their first-round matchup, which is to be determined.