By RYAN WALKER

For The Ironton Tribune

COAL GROVE — One week ago, everything that could’ve gone wrong did for Coal Grove.

This week was a much different story for the Hornets, as the offense made plays, the defense made stops, and Coal Grove defeated the Valley Indians 30-16 on Friday night at Lemaster Stadium.

Much of Coal Grove’s offensive success came from its backfield duo of Kaden Murphy and Caden Turner both went over the century mark to lead the offense.

Last week, Murphy was forced to exit the game early during the Hornets loss to Greenup County. This week, he returned to the lineup and led the Coal Grove ground attack with 19 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Turner finished the game with 11 carries for 104 yards, including a 61-yard dash in the fourth quarter to cap off the win.

In the first quarter, Coal Grove (1-1) was able to take advantage of prime field position after a bad snap on a Valley punt attempt, giving the Hornets the ball near midfield.

On the first play from scrimmage, Murphy took the handoff off the left side, bounced out, turned the corner, and went untouched for a 47-yard touchdown run to give the Hornets a 6-0 lead with 3:19 left in the opening quarter.

Valley threatened to get on the board late in the first half, driving as far as the Hornet 10 and facing a third-and-goal at the 13. But a mishandled snap forced quarterback Aidan Waughtel to toss a shovel pass to teammate Gabe McNeil, who then attempted to get around the corner. But McNeil was tripped up for a one-yard gain by Braden Schug, and the Indians were forced to kick a field goal.

Jaylen Bender’s 29-yard attempt never had a chance, as the snap rolled back to Waughtel and he was forced to take off running towards the end zone. Logan Roberts brought Waughtel down and the score remained 6-0 at the break in favor of the Hornets.

Valley (0-2) found the end zone on its very first offensive play of the second half, as Waughtel called his own number on a jet sweep keeper, and maneuvered his way through the defense for a 68-yard rushing score. Bender added the extra point to give the Indians a 7-6 lead to begin the third quarter.

Later in the third, Murphy would score his second touchdown of the night on a 49-yard bolt through the heart of the Valley defense and give the Hornets a 12-7 lead with 2:26 left in the third frame.

On the ensuing kickoff, McNeil would field the ball at his own 23, make a move to his right, and race down the middle of the field for a 77-yard return to put the Indians back ahead 13-12.

Murphy nearly answered with a return of his own, fielding the kickoff from his own 5 and taking it to the Valley 45.

Four plays later, Murphy would take a handoff and burst out of the pack and run 32-yards on the final play of the quarter to give Coal Grove a 18-13 lead.

After a punt from Turner that backed Valley up to inside its own one, the Hornet defense decided they wanted to get on the score sheet as well.

On first down, Waughtel was forced to throw under pressure from Braylon Shope and his throw went into the hands of linebacker Joe Scarberry, who returned it 10 yards for the defensive score and extended Coal Grove lead to 24-13 with 5:15 remaining.

Valley was able to tack on a 44-yard field goal from Bender on their following drive, cutting the deficit to 24-16 with 3:25 remaining.

The Indians successfully recovered the onside kick, getting the ball back at their own 47.

Valley advanced as far as the Hornet 37, only to have Coal Grove’s defense come up with another turnover. This time, Scarberry and Turner stood up a Valley wide receiver, and Schug came in to knock the ball loose and recover it.

Two plays later, Turner capped off the scoring with his touchdown run.

Waughtel finished the game with 52 yards passing and 81 yards on the ground. McNeil led Valley in rushing yards with 88 on 15 carries and receiving yards with 3 catches for 43.

Coal Grove hosts the Meigs Marauders next Friday night. Valley will be on the road at Piketon.

Valley 0 0 13 3 = 16

Coal Grove 6 0 12 12 = 30

First Quarter

CG — Kaden Murphy 48 run (run failed), 3:19.

Third Quarter

Val — Aidan Waughtel 68 run (Jaylen Bender kick), 11:42.

CG — Kaden Murphy 49 run (run failed), 2:26.

Val — Gabe McNeil 77 kickoff return (pass failed), 2:13.

CG — Kaden Murphy 32 run (run failed), 0:00.

Fourth Quarter

CG — Joe Scarberry 10 interception return (run failed), 5:15.

Val — Jaylen Bender 44 field goal, 3:25.

CG — Caden Turner 61 run (kick failed), 1:33.

———

LV CG

First downs 14 9

Rushes-yards 31-188 35-264

Passing yards 52 -12

Total yards 240 252

Cmp-Att-Int 7-16-2 1-1-0

Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-0

Penalties-yards 8-55 5 3-25

Punts-average 1-22.0 4-39.0

———

Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Valley: Gabe McNeil 15-88, Aidan Waughtel 12-81 TD, Anthony Aaron 3-29, Jaekyn Ridout 1-minus 10; Coal Grove: Caden Turner 11-104, Kaden Murphy 19-158 TD, Case Webb 1-3, Ryland Smith 3-1, Team 1-minus 2.

PASSING–Coal Grove: Rylan Smith 1-1-0 minus 12; Valley: Aidan Waughtel 7-16-2 52.

RECEIVING–Coal Grove: Kaden Murphy 1-minus 12; Valley: Zach Whitt 1-1, Gabe McNeil 3-43, Braxten Conaway 1-6, Lex Logan 1-minus 3, Nick Queen 1-5.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.