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MARION -- A bad snap on a punt deep in Elgin territory allowed the visiting Buckeye Valley Barons to score a touchdown and their first win of the season, a 7-6 decision over the host Comets Friday in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference action. Elgin (0-6, 0-5 MOAC) led 6-0 midway through the fourth quarter, but were pinned deep in their own territory on fourth down. Jon Appelfeller dropped back just inside his own end zone to punt, but the snap was high. Appelfeller managed to get his fingers on the ball and pull it down, but brought the ball out of the end zone and was swarmed under by the Buckeye Valley (1-5, 1-4 MOAC) special teams unit at the Elgin one-yard line. On the very next play, Baron fullback Chris Hughes plunged through the right side of the offensive line and in for the tying score with 6:33 left to play. Andy Baxter's extra point gave the Barons their first, and only, lead of the game. Elgin had plenty of opportunities to do damage, but Buckeye Valley's defense came up strong when needed. Elgin's first two drives of the game both ended in the Baron red zone, the first advanced as far as the BV two-yard line, but neither produced points. The Comets would score with 4:54 to play in the first half when quarterback Brandon Baney found receiver John Mallett in the end zone from 18 yards out. Elgin tried a flea-flicker two-point conversion, but Baney's pass intended for Appelfeller was knocked down in the end zone. Still, Elgin outgained the Barons by 122 yards in the first half (147-25) and seemed prepared to put the game away. Buckeye Valley, though, did not let that happen. After rushing the ball just eight times, throwing the ball -- without success -- seven times and holding the ball for just 5:41 of the first half, the Barons decided to stick with the running game, their bread and butter. Things turned around in the second half. Buckeye Valley turned the tables on the Comets, racking up 118 yards of offense to just 30 for Elgin. Buckeye Valley's offense ran 24 plays in the second half, 23 three of them running plays. The Baron defense also clamped down, forcing four punts and an interception to go with the stop on the bad punt snap. No BV rusher gained more than 42 yards, but none gained less than 33. Hughes carried 10 times for the 42 while Kyle Rehner and Colt Brownstead each gained 34 yards, Brownstead's coming one inside handoff and end around. Ryan Smart also had 33 yards for Buckeye Valley. Rehner attempted eight passes and completed none while throwing one interception. Dustin Kramp led all rushers with 53 yards on 16 carries. Appelfeller finished with 44 yards, but gained just one yard on two rushes in the second half. Baney completed 7-of-15 passes for 101 yards, but threw his interception on the first play of the final Elgin drive, instantly snuffing out what Elgin fans hoped would be a winning rally. Lee Townsend caught three passes for 47 yards and Mallett two for 42 to lead the Comet receivers. Both teams dive right back into the teeth of the MOAC next week, with Buckeye Valley hosting the undefeated and state-ranked Marion Pleasant Spartans, led by former BV quarterback Scott Jefferies, and Elgin hosting the 4-2 River Valley Vikings. SCORE BY QUARTERS Buckeye Valley...............0.....0.....0.....7............7 Elgin...............................0.....6.....0.....0............6 SCORING SUMMARY SECOND QUARTER E-John Mallett 18 pass from Brandon Baney (pass failed), 4:54. (12 plays, 54 yards, TOP 6:29) FOURTH QUARTER BV-Chris Hughes 1 run (Andy Baxter kick), 6:33. (1 play, 1 yard, TOP 0:04) TEAM STATISTICS.............BV..............E First Downs...............................8.............12 Rushes-Yards..................31-143........44-76 Passing Yards............................0...........101 Comp-Att-Int.....................0-8-1......7-15-1 Total Offense.........................143...........177 Punts-Avg.........................6-34.3......5-25.2 Fumbles-Lost.........................2-1...........2-0 Penalties-Yards....................9-84.........6-53 Time of Possession..............18:04........29:56 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING: Buckeye Valley-Chris Hughes 10-42, Colt Brownstead 1-34, Kyle Rehner 10-34, Ryan Smart 10-33. Elgin-Dustin Kramp 16-53, Jon Appelfeller 13-44, Shaun O'Donnell 5-5, Wes Pinney 1-0, Team 1-(-12), Brandon Baney 8-(-14). PASSING: Buckeye Valley-Kyle Rehner 0-8-1-0. Elgin-Brandon Baney 7-15-1-101. RECEIVING: Buckeye Valley-None. Elgin-Lee Townsend 3-47, John Mallett 2-42, Dustin Weller 1-7, Wes Pinney 1-5. INTERCEPTIONS: Buckeye Valley-Adam Hall 1-0. Elgin-Jon Appelfeller 2-42. clecinosu |