Chelsea head coach Watt Parker used seven different players to grind out 171 rushing yards on the way to a 30-12 victory over Vincent Thursday night in Shelby County’s high school football opener.

Senior fullback Billy Barnhill carried 15 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hornets ground attack.

Barnhill punched in a one-yard run to cap Chelsea’s first scoring drive, after several nice runs by sophomore Davin Palmer.

&uot;Davin played well,&uot; Parker said. &uot;He did a good job of taking care of the football.&uot;

Vincent’s Steven Adams connected with Octavius Looney for a seven-yard touchdown pass to match Chelsea’s first-quarter score.

Chelsea struck back with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Coty McLaughlin to Doug Pate, the Hornets only passing attempt of the ballgame.

Another drive capped off by David Strider’s 11-yard run put Chelsea out front by two scores before Vincent’s late scoring drive just before the half.

Desmond Yowe’s one-yard touchdown dive cut the lead to 20-12 at halftime.

Yowe finished the game with 24 carries for 107 yards with Adams adding 52 yards on 16 carries for Vincent.

Chelsea padded its lead in the second half, adding a 20-yard field goal by Matt Jordan and another one-yard touchdown run by Barnhill.

The Hornets held Vincent scoreless the remainder of the game.

&uot;Preston Roberts was our defensive player of the game,&uot; Parker said. &uot;Stimatti Hirras also played well on the defensive line.&uot;

Roberts led the Chelsea defense with 12 tackles and an interception.

Chelsea begins Class 4A, Region 5 play next week with a trip to Fayette County.

Vincent begins 2A play with a trip to region foe Gordo