Photo by Joe Lovell Martins Ferry quarterback Luca Shane looks to pass during the Purple Riders’ 43-13 win over Leetonia Friday night.

MARTINS FERRY — The Justin Kropka Era is off to a rousing start in Purple Land.

After registering a come-from-behind win over Shadyside in its season opener, Martins Ferry rolled to a 43-13 OHSAA mercy-rule triumph over Leetonia Friday night at the Dave Bruney Football Complex, in conjunction with the Purple Riders staging Hall of Fame ceremonies.

The second half was played with eight-minute quarters.

Kropka, a 1994 Martins Ferry High grad and in his first year as boss of his alma mater’s grid team, saw his charges turn in a hall of fame performance of their own against the outmanned Bears. Leetonia entered the contest coming off a 54-0 shellacking at the hands of Jackson-Milton.

The Purple Riders took command immediately and never relented. The hosts scored every way imaginable in the first half via run, pass, interception and punt return.

Kropka called the dogs after early, subbing in his reserve late in the opening half.

“We made a lot of big plays. I thought we were capable of that,” Kropka said. “We were also able to get everyone some playing time while also getting out healthy.

“But I will tell you this, we need to start cleaning up the little things. We are making way too many mistakes,” he added. “If we keep making those mistakes it will come back to bite us against strong teams.”

Ferry wasted no time denting the scoreboard, driving 68 yards on the game’s first possession. Senior Jackson Carte scooted in from four yards out for the score. The touchdown was set up on a beautifully thrown 44-yard pass connection from Ayden Ludolph to Landyn Hores. Connor Probst added the PAT for a 7-0 lighting.

The Purple Riders forced a Leetonia punt on the ensuing possession. Ferry junior dandy Baron Lucey hauled the boot in at his 27 and raced 73 untouched yards to paydirt at the 7:24 lighting of the opening frame. The PAT misfired.

Rising sophomore Tev’n Williams delivered the third Purple TD when he pilfered a Bear aerial and scampered 80 yards to make it 19-0. Probst added the conversion kick.

The Purple lead mushroomed to 27-0 when Ludolph speared senior Dylan Ward on a 47-yard connection. Probst again converted.

Ferry made it a 35-0 reading by intermission courtesy of a 65-yard scoring jaunt by Williams. Ludolph teamed with sophomore standout Alex Reese on the conversion pass.

Leetonia tallied two TDs in the second half.

Quarterback Carson Brock scored from four yards out. He also passed to Andrew Bulford for a one-yard six-pointer. Soloman-Hanson added the PAT after the latter TD.

Ferry added a fourth-quarter score on a 26-yard scamper by freshman Luca Shane. Classmate Joseph Turner ran in the bonus points.

“It feels pretty good to be 2-0 at this point. Back in February I wasn’t even sure we would have a team,” Kropka said. “I am happy for the school and the community as the pride and excitement is growing. I feel really happy for our older players who have been around for awhile.”

Ludolph finished 3-of-5 from the air for 121 yards. The Riders rushed for 125 yards.

Leetonia gained 133 infantry stripes. The Bears completed 4-of-8 passes for four yards.

The staunch Ferry defense was spearheaded by Travis Trout, Reese and Hores.

The Riders will face their initial acid test of the campaign when they host 2-0 Union Local Friday night.

“Union Local is one of the best teams around. They are really strong,” Kropka added. “They really have no weaknesses and they have a lot of weapons. It will be a challenge.”

“They have kids that have been around for four years. We are (now) like they were four years ago,” he added. “Bernie (Thompson) has really done a great job with that program.”

Martins Ferry 43, Leetonia 13

Leetonia 0 0 6 7 – 13

Ferry 13 22 0 8 – 43

F-Carte 4 run. (Probst kick)

F-Lucey, 73 punt return. (kick failed).

F-Williams 80 interception. (Probst kick).

F-Ward 47 pass from Ludoph (Probst kic)k.

F-Williams 65 run. (Reese pass from Ludolph).

L-Brock 4 run. (kick blocked)

F-Shane 26 run. (Turner run).

L-Bulford 1 pass from Brock. (Sloman-Hanson kick).

RUSHING: Leetonia: 25-123-td (Cibula 9-41; Roller 2-2, Cloud 3-6, Finley 9-54, Brock 4-20-td) Martins Ferry 12-125-3tds (Williams 2-65-td, Carte 1-4-td, Ludolph 2-4, Archer 1-3, Turner 3-18, Shane 2-31-td).

PASSING: Leetonia 4-8-4-int-td (Dunn 3-5-(-4)-td, Finley 1-3-8-int); Martins Ferry – 3-5-121-td (all by Ludolph).

RECEIVING: Leetonia 4-4-td (Cloud 1-8, Finley 1-(-8), Cibula 1-3, Bulford 1-1-td); Martins Ferry 3-121-td (Hores 1-44; Williams 1-30, Ward 1-47-td.)

FIRST DOWNS: Leetonia 4.Ferry 6.

FUMBLES LOST: Leetonia 0-0. Ferry 3-0

PENALTIES: Leetonia 0-0. Ferry 5-40.