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FORT GAY, W.Va. — After the disappointing performance two years ago at Tolsia High School, the 2012 edition of the Big Blacks were able to avenge that loss with a 40-2 victory.

The win now gives the Big Blacks another 2-0 start to begin the year and gives them 13 straight regular season victories.

The offense – which sputtered at times during the contest – was able to overcome and eventually find some momentum and put some points on the board.

The locals mustered 260 yards of offense on the night. It was a balanced effort with 160 yards rushing and 100 yards passing.

The Big Blacks defense gave up 125 yards on the night – 121 yards on the ground and just 4 yards passing.

Senior running back Tylun Campbell was the big performer on the night with 10 carries for 114 yards including a 77 yard run in the third quarter.

Sophomore Aden Yates – making his second career start – finished the night 8 of 11 passing for 100 yards on the nose. Yates’ leading receiver was senior Anthony Perry with 2 catches for 46 yards, both touchdowns.

Perry – who has been a significant member of the varsity basketball team the last two seasons – decided to come out for football his senior season and has continued to have a big impact. He had two touchdowns on offense – both receiving – and also had 58 yard interception return.

The Tolsia Rebels received the opening kickoff and had their most successful drive of the night right away. The drive took up over half of the first quarter and drove the Rebels deep into Big Blacks territory. Point broke up a pass on 4th down from the 17 yard line and finally gave their offense the ball.

Aden Yates connected with junior tight end Brycen Reymond on the first play of the game for a 13 yard hookup. After runs from junior Teran Barnitz, senior Tylun Campbell, and junior Marquez Griffin, a fumble on a reception inside the Rebels 20 yard line gave Tolsia the ball back.

After the initial drive, the Big Blacks defense stiffened up and forced a quick three and out. Point then turned around and had a three and out on their second offensive possession.

Both teams would trade offensive possessions again before Tolsia would take over on their own 12 yard line. A fumble would ensue on that possession – letting Point have the ball on the Tolsia 28 yard line.

It didn’t take long for the Big Blacks offense to finally score their first touchdown. Tylun Campbell found the end-zone on the fourth play of the drive from 3 yards out. Junior Colin Peal connected on the extra point to give Point the lead 7-0.

The Big Blacks would have another big play on the next drive when junior lineman Luke Halstead forced a fumble that was believed to be recovered by Anthony Perry. Six plays later, it was junior Chase Walton finding the end-zone for the touchdown. The Peal kick would be good again.

On the next kickoff, Tolsia had a nice return going when junior Austen Toler forced a big fumble and placekicker Colin Peal – all 5’4, 120 pounds of him – recovered the ball for the Big Blacks.

A big scramble from Aden Yates early in the drive helped set Point up deep and helped him connect with Anthony Perry for a passing touchdown. The kick was no good – setting the score at 20-0 at the half.

It was an ugly start to the second half – several penalties for the Big Blacks and a lost ball deep that resulted in the lone Tolsia score of the night, a safety.

The next Tolsia possession began at their own 39 yard line and had them driving into Big Blacks territory when senior Kodi Stranahan forced a fumble and fellow senior Conner Templeton recovered.

One play later, it was Tylun Campbell running down the sideline for a 77 yard score. The kick from Peal was good.

The next Tolsia drive saw several nice defensive plays – one from Walton, one from sophomore Gage Buskirk, and the most notable – a 58 yard interception touchdown return from Anthony Perry.

Tolsia went three and out on the next possession and Point came up with another score when Yates connected with Chase Walton in the end-zone, only to see Walton fumble the ball in the air and the ball bounced into Perry’s hands for his third score of the night. The extra point was no good.

The next Tolsia drive was stalled when senior defensive lineman Conner Templeton had a big sack that halted the drive to put the game away for good.

The rest of the game ended with each team putting in their second units and running the clock out.

Despite the occasional lapses, the defensive played strong at times and had several strong performances. Senior Andrew Williamson, senior Hunter Bellamy, senior Anthony Perry, senior Conner Templeton, junior Levi Russell, and several others had good nights.

For the Big Blacks next week, it will be another road test as they travel for the first ever meeting between Point Pleasant and Lewis County. Game time is set for the usual 7:30 p.m. start.