Athens hands Gallia Academy their second straight loss against a TVC opponent this season
By: Caleb McCleskey
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GALLIPOLIS, Ohio (WOUB) – Facing off against their second TVC opponent of the season, the Gallia Academy Blue Devils hosted the Athens Bulldogs. The Blue Devils would end up losing their second straight game of the season, 55-6.
Looking to bounce back after their week 1 loss after the Meigs Marauders, the Gallia Academy Blue Devils hosted the Athens Bulldogs at Memorial Field. This would be the 101st matchup between the two teams.
Heading into the first quarter, Gallia Academy would fumble the ball on their first offensive drive in Athens’s territory. The Blue Devils would make several small mistakes on multiple offensive possessions throughout the game.
With less than 4 minutes to go in the first, Athens would capitalize on their first offensive drive, getting the first score of the game. The Bulldogs’ very own Alex Pero would find his way into the endzone after a 32-yard run.
By the end of the first half, Pero would have three rushing touchdowns of his own to add to Athens’s total first half score.
The second quarter would prove to be all about the Bulldogs, where they would score 28 of their 55 points. Athens would continue to stick to the run game, getting past Gallia Academy’s primary and secondary defensive lines.
The quick and explosive plays would catch the Blue Devils’ defense off guard leading to first downs and score for the Bulldogs.
Three plays into the second quarter, Alex Pero tumbled through Blue Devils defenders for the 10-yard run to extend the lead for the Bulldogs.
But the Athens offense would be just as good as their defense. By the end of the first half Gallia Academy would have 3 turnovers on downs, 1 punt and 1 fumble. But the offensive slump for the Blue Devils would not last long. With less than 3 minutes to go in the first half, Gallia Academy got their first score of the game.
Braylan Rathburn finds Gabe Hammons for the 32-yard touchdown pass, but the Blue Devils would not get the extra point.
At the end of the first half, Athens would be leading Gallia Academy 35-6.
The second half would be a lot like the first half. Athens would continue to score on the Gallia Academy defense, but the Blue Devils would be scoreless for the second half. Athens would end up winning this game 55-6.
Athens will host the Marietta Tigers for their next game to possibly extend their win streak, while Gallia Academy hosts Point Pleasant to look for their first win of the season.