POMEROY — Jeremy Smith rushed for 251 yards in just 14 carries and three touchdowns to lead the Meigs Marauders to their first win of the 2009 season, 39-7 over the River Valley Raiders. Smith scored on runs on four, 90 and 54 to power the maroon and gold.

Meigs threatened in their first possession driving to the Raider eight, but Smith fighting for extra yards fumbled and Harry Smathers recovered for River Valley at their own three. The Raiders drove to the 30 and gambled for it on fourth and one. But the Marauder were able to hold, five plays later Smith scored from four yards out. Jacob Well added the extra points and the Marauders went on top 7-0 with 1:17 left in the period.

River Valley punted to start the second period and Smatters’ 43 yard punt rolled dead at the Meigs 10. Smith took the hand-off from Well, went around his left end and cut back against the grain going 90 yards for the score. The kick was no good but the Marauders were on top 13-0.

Meigs increased the lead to 19-0 with 6:00 to go in the half, when Well hooked up with Caleb Davis who made a beautiful catch completing a 42 yard scoring pass.

The Raiders drove to the Meigs three yard line with time running out in the half, a fourth and goal pass from Jacob Brown to Chad Smith was broken up by Zach Sayre in the end zone and the Marauders went into the locker room at the half with a 19-0 lead.

Meigs took the ball at the 46 yard line when Colton Stewart fielded the Raiders pooch kick. On the first play Smith again did the honors, scoring his third touchdown of the night this time from 54 yards out to increase the Meigs lead to 25-0.

The Raiders drove to the Marauder 40, but a fourth down pass from Brown to Trey Noble was broken up by a big hit by Blake Crow. Five plays later big Justin Ellis a 6-foot-2, 270 pound tackle blasted over from the fullback spot from three yards out. Well added the extra points for a 32-0 Meigs lead with 2:49 left.

Meigs scored their last touchdown when Cody Laudermilt scored from 22 yards out, once again Well was true with the kick. The score was set up when River Valley punter Smathers was tackled for a three yard loss after a bad snap.

River Valley scored their first points in 11 periods when Chad Smith scored from three yards out. Tyler Smith set the score up with a 57 yard run from the Raider 16 to the Marauder 27.

Smith led all rushers with his 251 yards in 14 tries, an average of 17.9 yards a carry. Cody Laudermilt added 67 in just five carries. Well was five of six in the air for 68 yards and a score. Caleb Davis caught the touchdown for 42 yards.

Tyler Smith led the Raiders with 144 yards in 28 carries, Austin Davies had 17 yards in four carries, and Cody McAvena added 17 in five tries. Brown was 10 of 22 in the air for 100 yards, Noble caught three for 56 yards and Chad Smith three for 33 yards.

“I thought both teams played hard,” Marauder coach Mike Chancey said after the contest. “It was a good win for us, we need to enjoy it and get back to work on Monday and get ready to play a real good Athens team.”

Meigs (2-1) will open TVC Ohio Division play next week when they travel to The Plains to play the Athens Bulldogs.

“They are a really good team,” Raider coach Jared McClelland said of the Marauders. “We missed some assignments early, and Smith hurt us with his speed, He is a good running back.”

The Raiders will host another Meigs County team next week when the Eastern Eagles invade Gallia County.