by Uniontown, Ohio – Thanks to a strong ground game featuring three touchdowns from senior Grady Kinsey, Indian Valley held off Green, 28-21, at Green Memorial Stadium Friday evening.
Green won the toss and elected to defer to the second half, giving Indian Valley the ball first. The defending Division IV state champs utilized the ground and pound offense that led them to their state championship last year. A Ryker Williams to Colt James connection kept the drive alive early on. Senior tailback and Air Force commit Grady Kinsey finished off the nearly six-minute drive with a 26-yard touchdown run.
The Braves looked to add to their lead, but an interception by Anthony McMichael III thwarted those plans. It came to the benefit of Green, putting them deep in Indian Valley territory. A few plays later, senior Cole Metcalf punched it in from two yards out. The ensuing PAT was good, knotting the score at 7 early in the second quarter.
One play later, Indian Valley would take the lead. On the first play following the kickoff, Kinsey took a handoff, found a seam, and rumbled 65 yards to the end zone for his second score of the game.
The two teams traded stops, and Green found itself knocking on the door of the end zone, getting to the Indian Valley ten yard line. However, the Brave defense stood strong and turned the Bulldogs away empty handed. Green would get another defensive stand, forcing an Indian Valley punt. However, the attempted return was muffed, and junior Carson Hostetler recovered for the Braves.
Ryker Williams would run it in from 17 yards out to increase the Indian Valley lead to 21-7 with 1:31 left in the second quarter. Green looked to cut into their now two-score deficit, but a half-ending sack from Titan Peterman thwarted those plans.
Indian Valley took a 21-7 lead into the halftime break, and looked to further increase their lead. They continued to utilize the ground game to success, and looked to extend their lead. Anthony McMichael III forced a fumble inside the ten yard line and recovered. McMichael III would score from a yard out to trim the Bulldog deficit to 21-14 with 1:22 left in the third quarter.
Thanks again to the running of Grady Kinsey, the Braves found themselves within striking distance of scoring yet again. This time, it was the Bulldogs who held the line and turned Indian Valley away.
However, the Braves defense would force another Green punt. On the ensuing possession, they would find the end zone once again, as Grady Kinsey ran in his third score from 14 yards out. The Braves led 28-14 with 3:52 remaining. Green would respond with a touchdown drive as Tyson Hunka found Evan Reed for a 17-yard touchdown toss with 1:32 to play.
Down 28-21, the Bulldogs attempted an onside kick, but their attempt did not go ten yards. Indian Valley got the ball due to the illegal procedure penalty, and Grady Kinsey ran for one more first down to ice the game.
Indian Valley travels to Steubenville next Friday night.
Green travels to Painesville Riverside next Friday night.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Grady Kinsey (Sr.) (Indian Valley) 33 carries, 307 yards, 3 rush TDs
Anthony McMichael III (Sr.) (Green) INT, fumble recovery, rush TD
