Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

MINFORD — It was a real grinder.

The Rock Hill Redmen used a grinding ground game to beat the Minford Falcons 33-14 in the season opener on Friday.

The Redmen ran 56 plays with all but three coming on the ground.

“We thought there were a couple of things we felt we could do to move the football. We got in a real good rhythm and we were able to move the football pretty well,” said Rock Hill coach Todd Knipp.

Rock Hill’s ground game finished with 53 carries for 352 yards led by Trystan Matney with 163 yards on 19 carries and four touchdowns. He also kicked three extra points.

Brady Knipp added 93 yards on 16 attempts.

Quarterback Mason Darby was 1-of-3 passing for 21 yards with the lone completion a touchdown strike to Corey Shope. Darby also ran four times for 34 yards.

Tyler Compton ran 20 times for 108 yards to lead Minford. Tyler McCormick was 11-of-18 passing for 102 yards and the Falcons ran 29 times for 138 yards for 240 total yards.

Rock Hill got the ball at the Minford 29-yard line after a turnover and Matney scored on a 1-yard run.

Minford answered with a 17-yard scoring run by Compton and it was 7-7.

But the Redmen came right back to take the lead for good with the help of a fumbled punt recovery and an interception that led to Shope’s touchdown reception and a 7-yard scoring run by Matney for a 20-7 halftime lead.

“We did a good job capitalize on their turnovers,” said coach Knipp. “I thought we played pretty well offensively and defensively.”

Matney added a 10-yard scoring run to start the third quarter and then broke loose on a 63-yard gallop and it was 33-7 at the end of the quarter.

Rock Hill 14 6 13 0 = 33

Minford 7 0 0 7 = 14

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—RH: Trystan Matney 19-163 4 TDs, Brady Knipp 16-93, Mason Darby 4-34, Tim Adkins 3-16, Zak Adkins 3-22, Logan Hankins 6-13, Matt Malone 2-11; Minford: Tyler Compton 20-108, Dillon Shepherd 3-17, Landon Caudill 4-10, Casey Gaines 2-3.

PASSING—RH: Mason Darby 1-3-1 21; Minford: Tyler McCormick 11-18-1 102.

RECEIVING—RH: Corey Shope 1-21 TD; Minford: Dylan Shepherd 1-25, Bowen 21-23, Muck 3-20, Breydan Tilley 2-14, Tres Spradlin 1-10, Simon Thoroughman 1-10, Tyler Compton 1-5.