SOUTH POINT - In a game of big plays, the South Point Pointers came up big.

The Pointers and Greenup County (Ky.) Musketeers traded big plays the whole game, but it was South Point that came away with a 29-26 win Friday night.

"The kids are hanging in there until the end. They're making plays and they're making it more exciting than I want it to be, but they're learning how to win," Pointers coach Dan McDavid said. "Defensively, we gave up a kickoff return and a punt return for scores. We have to work on that."

The punt return produced the game's first touchdown as Derrick Beach ran 31 yards for the Musketeers (1-3).

South Point (3-1) responded with its own scoring drive capped by a 13-yard run by Anthony Ross. Rocky Roe kicked the point after and it was 7-7.

But on the ensuing kickoff, Beach ran back 84 yards for the touchdown and Greenup led 14-7.

Again the Pointers answered with a scoring drive as quarterback Chris Smith hit Heath Bridges with a 42-yard touchdown pass. However, the conversion failed and the Pointers trailed 14-13.

The Pointers defense came up with a big play to put them back in front as Jeremiah Taylor tackled Joe Riley in the end zone for a safety and it was 15-14.

Following the free kick, South Point drove for a touchdown as Smith found Taylor on a 25-yard scoring pass play and the lead was 21-14.

Greenup County got within 22-20 on a 1-yard run by Roman Garred, but Smith's 25-yard touchdown run put the halftime lead at 27-20 at the break.

Garred was called for an intentional grounding in the end zone in the third quarter as the Pointers now held a 29-20 lead.

McDavid said the defense was the difference.

"(Jude) Crabtree and Taylor were back at defensive end and had a good ball game. Tanner Williamson has won a spot in rotation at defensive tackle," McDavid said. "Overall, the defense played pretty well. We only gave up two touchdowns."

Greenup got a touchdown on a 4-yard run by T.J. Stephenson in the fourth quarter and it was 29-26 but the conversion pass failed.

Smith had his best game of the season as he went 10 of 22 passing for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.

The Pointers had 303 total yards including 108 on the ground.

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South Point72020=29

First Quarter

GC – Derrick Beach 31 punt return (Crockett Reed kick)

SP – Anthony Ross 13 run (Rocky Roe kick)

GC – Derrick Beach 84 kickoff return (Crockett Reed kick)

Second Quarter

SP – Heath Bridges 42 pass from Chris Smith (kick failed)

SP – Safety (Jeremiah Taylor tackled Joe Riley in end zone)

SP – Jeremiah Taylor 25 pass from Chris Smith (kick failed)

GC – Roman Garred 1 run (kick failed)

SP – Chris Smith 25 run (kick failed)

Third Quarter

SP – Safety (Roman Garred intentional grounding in end zone)

Fourth Quarter

GC – T.J. Stephenson 4 run (pass failed)

Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Greenup Co.: NA; South Point: John Crager 9-30, Rocky Roe 10-35, Anthony Ross 1-13, Chris Smith 10-30.

PASSING – Greenup Co.: NA; South Point: Chris Smith 10-22-2

195.

RECEIVING – Greenup Co.: NA; South Point: Heath Bridges 3-89, Jeremiah Taylor 4-81, Anthony Ross 2-22, Jerrell Dean 1-3.