So, it’s not a secret that Indian Valley’s offense runs through Grady Kinsey.
Through their first five games, Kinsey had rushed for 1,059 yards and had scored 15 touchdowns. That, despite the fact that he rarely plays more than half a game. In last week’s game against Sandy Valley, in fact, he had just four carries that resulted in 195 yards and four touchdowns.
In Friday night’s game against Garaway, Kinsey’s 24 carries resulted in 388 yards and six touchdowns as the Braves rolled up a 40-12 win over the Pirates in an Inter-Valley Conference contest in Gnadenhutten.
“That’s the best team we’ve played in a few weeks,” Kinsey said. “Even though it’s harder, it feels great to go out there and really compete.
“I had fun tonight running the ball behind my best friends on the O line.”
Indian Valley wasted little time showcasing the speedy senior. On the team’s first offensive play, Kinsey took a direct snap, raced to the left sideline and tip-toed 69 yards for a touchdown.
His last score was an 88-yard scamper where he took another direct snap and pulled away untouched over the last 40 yards.
“This was big,” said Indian Valley coach Matt Lancaster, whose team has now won 22 straight games. “We’re going to have to play full games against really good teams down the road and Garaway is a really good team.
“It’s good for us to be in this environment and have to play four quarters.”
The Pirates answered the Braves’ first touchdown with a score of their own when Grady Miller hit 6-2 receiver Jaxon Yoder with a 14-yard scoring pass. The pair hooked up on a 46-yard touchdown in the second quarter that made the score 20-12.
“We gave up a couple big plays, but then our defense held up and forced some punts,” Lancaster said.
Kinsey put another score on the board before halftime, running behind a strong offensive line.
“This is awesome,” said senior lineman Koy Haney, who was named the Klar’s XL Screen Printing Player of the Game. “Making a big play and looking up to see Grady taking off down the field, It’s really a one of a kind feeling.”
Kinsey played very little in the fourth quarter, but had 217 yards at halftime and finished with 388.
The Braves don’t get a break after this game. Next week’s visitors to Brothers HVAC Stadium will be the unbeaten Ridgewood Generals, who beat Sandy Valley 48-7 on Friday.
"Every fighter is fueled by his past and whatever they’ve got going on. What got him to this point, I can’t tell you, but whatever it is, he uses it very well to do what he’s doing here.”
