By JOSH MORRISON

Tribune Staff

SOUTH POINT — The Fairland Dragons ran often and threw when they needed to in a 39-0 Ohio Valley Conference win over the South Point Pointers.

“Our running game set up our pass,” said Fairland coach Dave Carroll. “Our kids were ready and we came out and executed. We did some different things offensively and kept them guessing.”

Fairland moved the ball effectively on its first possession, and the seven-play, 73-yard drive ended when Evan Maddox found the end zone from 14 yards out. The extra point was no good, and the score was 6-0 with 9:20 to go in the first.

After a South Point punt, the Dragons moved quickly as Maddox scored his second touchdown of the quarter, this one from 37 yards out. Nathan Campbell added the extra point, and Fairland led at the end of the first 13-0.

South Point forced a Fairland turnover on downs to begin the second quarter, and marched to the Dragons 39, but a fake punt came up short.

Fairland (3-4, 2-0) again moved quickly, this time taking to the air as Kyle Sowards connected on two consecutive passes, and Eric Riley capped off the drive with a 14-yard run. The extra point was no good and the Dragons led at the half 19-0.

The Pointers (1-6, 0-2) fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and Fairland extended the lead to 26-0 when Sowards found Campbell from 26 yards out on a fourth down play.

“It is very tough when you’re a young team to start and then you add some injuries to that, it forces the young kids to grow up quickly,” South Point coach Doug Shilot said.

“The kids are still working hard and are very coachable, but when you have young kids along with some missed assignments and turnovers; it just starts to collapse on you.”

After forcing another Pointers turnover on downs, Campbell added his second touchdown of the quarter; this one coming on a 35-yard run. He also added the extra point, and the score at the end of the third was 33-0.

Cody Midkiff added the final score from 7 yards out midway through the fourth quarter at 39-0.

Maddox finished the game with 129 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns for the Dragons. Sowards was 5 for 5 passing with 95 yards and a touchdown.

The Pointers were led by R.J. McCarty and Curtis Jackson who both had 37 yards on nine and 10 carries respectively.

“Their kids played hard to the end,” Carroll said of the Pointers.

The win sets up a showdown of two rivals next week when Fairland hosts Chesapeake with the winner in at least a tie for the league lead. South Point travels to Rock Hill.

Fairland 13 6 14 6 = 39

South Point 0 0 0 0 = 0

First Quarter

Fa – Evan Maddox 14 run (kick failed) 9:20

Fa – Evan Maddox 37 run (Nathan Campbell kick) 7:02

Second Quarter

Fa – Eric Riley 14 run (kick failed) 5:04

Third Quarter

Fa – Nathan Campbell 26 pass from Kyle Sowards (Campbell kick) 8:56

Fa – Nathan Campbell 35 run (Campbell kick) 1:57

Fourth Quarter

Fa – Cody Midkiff 7 run (run failed) 5:58

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Fa SP

First downs 20 5

Rushes-yards 38-313 41-94

Passing yards 95 0

Total yards 408 94

Cmp-Att-Int 5-5-0 2-5-1

Punts-average 1-23.0 2-27.5

Penalties-yards 8-66 4-20

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Fairland: Evan Maddox 9-129, Dylan Murphy 7-44, Nathan Campbell 6-41, Eric Riley 5-38, Kyle Sowards 4-21, Tyree Ceasar 2-18, Cody Midkiff 2-15, Jalen Brooks 3-7. South Point: R.J. McCarty 9-37, Curtis Jackson 10-37, James Leonard 9-16, Austin Majher 10-4, Tre’ Campbell 1-0.

PASSING—Fairland: Kyle Sowards 5-5-0 95; South Point: Adrock Harlow 1-1-minus 3, Austin Majher 1-4-3.

RECEIVING—Fairland: Blaine Fuller 1-33, Evan Maddox 2-32, Nathan Campbell 1-26, Eric Riley 1-4; South Point: Curtis Jackson 1-3, Austin Majher 1-minus 3.