Beallsville High’s defensive effort Friday night was one first-year head coach Rusty Bondy attributed to his coaching staff’s preparation as the Blue Devils toppled Paden City, 40-14, at Dave Caldwell Field.

Junior tackle Gage Perkins led a swarming pass rush with five sacks, while sophomore Garrett Perkins had two interceptions, including an spectacular 80-yard ‘pick-6’ to spark a strong second half effort from Big Blue.

“Our coaching staff did a heckuva job in preparation,” said first-year head coach Rusty Bondy, of his youthful 2-6 record club,” and credit goes to offensive coordinator Dave Wiles” as the hosts ran for 260 yards, including 158 by sophomore Bradley Moats.

“We keyed on (Joey Baker) because of his speed, but Perkins, Moats and the rest of our D-unit did a great job limiting the damage.”

Baker led the 2-4 record Wildcats with 195 yards and a TD.

Coach Rob Price’s club led 6-0 after an opening drive of 64 yards was capped by Baker’s nine-yard TD run at 10:03.

Gavin Davis’ stopped Big Blue’s opening drive at his 38 with a fumble cover, but Bondy’s crew struck paydirt on the ensuing possession with a seven-yard TD run from Moats at 2:23.

Beallsville took its first lead early in the second quarter on a keeper from sophomore QB Garrett Perkins.

Moats set up the go-ahead score with runs of 16 and 36.

Paden City punched in its second TD from six-yeards out as Ashton Little plowed the middle. On the bonus try, a low snap forced the kicker, Julian Landauer to scoop up the loose oval and run the PAT for a 14-12 lead with 4:50 showing in the half.

The second half was orchestrated by the fierce pass rush led by Perkins, along with Moats, Louden, and Perkins.

“We’re happy to pick up the W, but to get two ‘pick 6’s is unheard of around here of late,” added Bondy.

The hosts’ 14-play drive to open the second half found paydirt as Dalton Fulton, Brandon Comstock, Marky Louden and Perkins opened rush lanes for Moats, who darted his way for key first downs to chew up clock.

Sophomore Adam Gouveia capped a near eight-minute march with a one-yard TD run, while Moats’ PAT run made it 20-14.

Big Blue, on the road at WV second-rated Cameron, Friday, saw a fourth quarter drive end on an INT by Will Christensen at his 10, but Garrett Perkins gave Beallsville breathing room minutes later with an highlight-reel 80-yard INT return with 4:26 to play.

James Palmer added an INT for the hosts and Louden scored at 1:01 on a 19-yard pass from Perkins.