Barnesville Downs Martins Ferry Again to Advance in Playoffs
In a rematch of their Week 8 matchup, the Barnesville Shamrocks defeated the Martins Ferry Purple Riders for the second time this season, eliminating them from the playoffs. The two losses to Barnesville were the Purple Riders’ only defeats of the season.
Martins Ferry opened the game with possession but fumbled deep in Barnesville territory. The Purple Riders quickly forced a three-and-out to regain possession and, taking advantage of good field position, struck first on a 1-yard touchdown run by Walkquem Cox to take a 6-0 lead.
The Shamrocks answered on their next possession with a 13-play, 51-yard drive. Colt Carpenter capped off the march with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Linas Graef added the extra point to give Barnesville a 7-6 advantage.
Following a strong kickoff return, Martins Ferry needed just three plays to reclaim the lead. Cox scored his second touchdown of the night on an 18-yard run. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Purple Riders ahead 12-7.
Barnesville responded with a Toliver-heavy drive, as the running back carried the ball five straight times for 47 yards. He capped off the possession with a 20-yard touchdown run, and Graef’s extra point put the Shamrocks back on top, 14-12, with less than a minute remaining in the half.
Another deep kickoff return gave Martins Ferry an opportunity to regain the lead before halftime, but Jaxten Swallie sacked quarterback Colby Kropka on fourth down to preserve Barnesville’s two-point advantage.
The Shamrocks opened the second half by going right back to Toliver, who carried the ball on four consecutive plays. His 60-yard touchdown run pushed him past 200 rushing yards on the night and extended Barnesville’s lead to 21-12.
Martins Ferry answered with a touchdown on its next possession, cutting the deficit to 21-18. From there, however, Barnesville took control.
Toliver scored his third and fourth touchdowns of the night on the Shamrocks’ next two possessions, stretching the lead to 35-18 with 8:52 remaining in the game.
The Barnesville defense then delivered a crucial goal-line stand. Martins Ferry put together a 16-play drive that reached the Shamrocks’ 1-foot line, but Barnesville stopped the Purple Riders on fourth-and-goal to force a turnover on downs.
Three snaps later, time expired, sealing Barnesville’s first victory of this year’s postseason.
Toliver finished with a another dominant performance, rushing for 274 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries behind outstanding offensive line play.
With the win, Barnesville advances to the Division V, Region 17 semifinals and will host third-seeded Girard next Friday at Shamrock Stadium. The Indians advanced with a 35-21 victory over Cardinal Mooney.
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