Photo by Kim North Ohio Valley wide receiver Isaiah Harris, right, hauls in a touchdown pass from Javonte Howard while teammate Cahsid Raymond (3) looks on during first-quarter action Saturday night against the Tennessee Hornets at John Marshall High School’s Monarch Stadium. The Ironmen prevailed, 82-0.

MOUNDSVILLE — There was an explosion and suffocation Saturday night in northern Marshall County, with the Ohio Valley Ironmen supplying the explosives on offense and a ball-hawking defense completely dominating.

Ohio Valley piled up 438 yards of total offense as quarterback Javonte Howard continued his outstanding season by throwing an astounding eight touchdowns, while the ground game racked up 203 on just 13 carries and scored three times in an 82-0 dismantling of the Tennessee Hornets on the artificial surface at John Marshall High School’s Monarch Stadium.

Not to be outdone, the defense added an interception return for six points and a two-point safety while only allowing 11 total yards on 55 offensive snaps by the Hornets. Included in that total was negative 76 yards on 22 carries, with most of the lost-yardage coming on nine quarterback sacks.

The shutout was a sweet birthday present for defensive coordinator Clint Lekanudos, who also serves in the same capacity for Bellaire High School.

“There’s a big difference between talent and gifted. We’ve got a lot of talented guys, but we’ve also got some guys that have some gifted skills that God gave them,” the former all-Ohioan at Bellaire said as his unit posted its third consecutive shutout. “It’s a really different situation (coaching) because these guys really want to do it. They are true professionals. They’re at the facility before I am. I love coaching high school football, mentoring kids to get to this level.”

When Ohio Valley head coach Manny Matsakis offered the defensive coordinator position to Lekanudos, he wasn’t really sure at first whether he wanted to take the opportunity.

“I was a little hesitant at first because this is my first year of being around a professional atmosphere.,” he said. “He (Manny) could’ve gotten anybody with all the coaching connections that he has, but he said he wanted me because he thought I was the right fit for the job.”

Linsly graduate, two-time All-American at Marietta and Bridgeport native Chance Knight is a defensive end for the Ironmen. He recorded two of the nine quarterback sacks, while teammate Connor Huffman had a team-best four. Five different Ironmen had at least one.

“It’s awesome to be a part of this defense,” Knight said. “In a game like tonight, you’ve just gotta keep your head, play your game and not worry about the opponent.”

Howard doubled his touchdown pass output in the first two games by completing 14 of 19 passes for 235 yards. He found seven different receivers for scoring strikes, with Will Huzzie catching two. Isaiah Harris, Cahsid Raymond, Chris Bury, Justin Prostinak, Said Sidbie and D’Ago Hunter all hauled in one.

Former Kutztown State running back Jeremiah Nelson sparked the ground game with five carries for 123 yards and touchdown runs of 38 and 58 yards. The 38-yarder was a work of art as the 6-0, 235-pounder met three Hornet defenders at the 25 before spinning away from all three after contact and sprinting to paydirt.

Prostinak added 86 yards on six totes. He scored from 48 yards out.

On the other side of the football, linebacker Josh Holley ran a tipped pass back 52 yards for six points and former University of Minnesota defensive lineman Tai’yon Devers sacked Tennessee quarterback Tylin Oden in the end zone for a safety. Kessawn Abraham also picked off a pass for the second straight game.

After an off week, the Ironmen return to action on Saturday, July 5 when Cincinnati makes a return visit.

GAME NOTES

— Tennessee replaced San Antonio on the Ironmen schedule. San Antonio is no longer a member of the International Football Alliance. Ohio Valley will play the Huntsville Astros in Alabama on July 20. It will be the lone away game.

— Former Linsly standout and Wheeling resident Pete Cuffaro performed the opening coin toss prior to the game.