By RYAN WALKER

For The Ironton Tribune

PEDRO — Rock Hill’s Anthony Stamper accounted for 258 all-purpose yards and 2 scores, Brody Simpkins added a rushing and defensive score, and the Redmen held off a furious comeback by the Oak Hill Oaks for a 41-38 win on Saturday afternoon.

The game originally kicked off on Friday night, but Mother Nature won the night and forced both squads to complete the game on Saturday at Redmen Stadium.

Stamper led the Redmen offense rushing for 178 yards on 12 carries and catching 5 balls for 80 yards. Simpkins added 51 yards on the ground and a reception for 20 in the win.

Much like they’ve done so far this season, the Redmen jumped out to an early lead.

The first big play came on the defensive side of the ball, when Braylon McClellan picked off a pass on Oak Hill’s second play from scrimmage.

Then on the ensuing play, Stamper found a huge hole off the left side and made a cutback for a 30-yard touchdown run. Rylan Barker added the extra point to make it 7-0.

Rock Hill (3-0) extended its lead on its next possession when quarterback Dallin Cox decided to keep it on a roll out and dive for the pylon for the score. Barker added the point after and it was quickly 14-0 in the first quarter.

Oak Hill (1-2) was able to respond on their following possession, getting a big chunk of yards on a first down pass by Eddie Abele to Ethan O’Connor for 40 yards. Then three plays later, the two connected again, this time for a 31-yard touchdown strike. Abele converted the two-point conversion pass to Andy Meldick to make it 14-8.

Abele finished the game completing 12 of 32 passes for 291 yards and ran for 85 yards in the losing effort. O’Connor led all receivers with a game-high 6 receptions for 227 yards. The two hooked up four times for touchdowns.

After a 34-yard kick return by Mason Hanners and facemask penalty by the Oaks, Simpkins scored from 3 yards out to extend the Redmen lead. Baker’s extra point made the score 21-8.

The Oaks thought that they had avoided another scoring threat by Rock Hill when they forced a turnover at their own 10.

But two plays later, Abele had to throw from his own end zone with the pass rush bearing down on him, and his pass went into the hands of Simpkins, who walked it in from 12-yards out for the defensive score. Barker added the point after to make the score.

Barker would connect on a 31-yard field goal to end the half and send Rock Hill into the locker room with a 31-8 lead. Baker later nailed a second field goal from 32 yards out to give the Redmen a 41-30 lead in the fourth quarter.

The Oaks began to mount their comeback in the third, as O’Connor and Abele hooked up for the second time on a 56-yard score. Abele found Meldick again for the 2-points and it was 31-16 with 10:51 left in the third frame.

Oak Hill was the recipient of a lucky bounce on the ensuing kickoff, as they recovered a fumble, and the Oaks set up shop at the Rock Hill 43.

Five plays later, Abele found Meldick, who stuck the ball just across the goal line for the score. Abele hit Meldick again for a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-24 with 8:47 in the quarter.

The Redmen needed a big play to turn the momentum back their way and got it in the final minutes of the quarter from Stamper again.

After 3 straight carries from Simpkins, Stamper took a handoff to his left and went north-and-south for a 47-yard touchdown scamper. Barker added the point after to give the Redmen a 38-24 lead going into the final quarter.

Oak Hill would not go away as Abele dialed up two more touchdown tosses to O’Connor. The last one was an 11-yard pass that made it a 41-38 game with less than 3 minutes to go.

The Oaks managed to recover the onside kick, but the Redmen were able to shut the door on any last-second heroics.

On fourth down, Abele was forced to roll to his right and heaved a pass towards Meldick down the sideline. Meldick got both hands on the pass, but Brayden McClellan was there to make contact and knock the ball loose from Meldick’s hands and secure the win.

Rock Hill opens up conference play against Fairland on Friday in a battle of unbeatens.

Oak Hill 0 8 16 14 = 38

Rock Hill 14 17 7 3 = 41

First Quarter

RH — Anthony Stamper 30 run (Rylan Barker kick).

RH — Dallin Cox 10 run (Rylan Barker kick).

Second Quarter

OH — Ethan O’Connor 31 pass from Eddie Abele (Eddie Abele run).

RH — Brody Simpkins 3 run (Rylan Barker kick)

RH — Brody Simpkins 12 interception return (Rylan Barker kick)

RH — Rylan Barker 31 field goal

Third Quarter

OH — Ethan O’Connor 56 pass from Eddie Abele (Abele pass to Meldick).

OH — Andy Meldick 7 pass from Eddie Abele (Abele pass to Meldick).

RH — Anthony Stamper 47 run (Rylan Barker kick).

Fourth Quarter

OH — Ethan O’Connor 33 pass from Eddie Abele (pass failed).

OH — Ethan O’Connor 11 pass from Eddie Abele (Abele pass to Meldick).

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OHRH

First downs 16 16

Rushes-yards 32-74 34-202

Passing yards 291 152

Total yards 365 354

Cmp-Att-Int 8-32-2 7-14-0

Fumbles-lost 1-0 4-2

Penalties-yards 11-83 6-82

Punts-average 4-41.5 2-34.5

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Oak Hill: Blaise Ford 8-6, Eddie Abele 22-85, Andy Meldick 1-minus 5, Team 1-minus 11; Rock Hill: Brody Simpkins 11-51 TD, Anthony Stamper 12-178 2TD, Dallin Cox 8-minus 26 TD, Braylon McClellan 1-3, Team 2-minus 4.

PASSING–Oak Hill: Eddie Abele 12-32-2 291 5TD; Rock Hill: Dallin Cox 8-16-0 135, Yaden Bailey 1-1-0 17.

RECEIVING–Oak Hill: Andy Meldick 5-52 TS, Ethan O’Connor 6-227 4TD, Dylan Comer 1-12; Rock Hill: Braylon McCellan 4-32, Anthony Stamper 5-80, Brody Simpkins 1-20.