By NEAL EMBRY/For the Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – Even a power outage and heavy rain couldn’t stop the Chelsea offense on Friday, Sept. 11.

Taking on the Valley Rams, the Hornets ran for nearly 300 yards and forced five turnovers, leading to a big 48-3 victory to move to 3-0 on the season.

The Rams had a chance to jump ahead early, moving the ball down the field to the Chelsea one-yard line, before being stopped on a fourth down and goal.

After getting the ball and momentum, the Hornets handed the ball off to star running backs Anthony Jones and Zalon Reynolds. Jones got the scoring started with a five-yard touchdown run on Chelsea’s first offensive series.

On their next series, the Hornets appeared to have scored from 24 yards out, but the receiver was ruled to be ineligible, and the touchdown pass was negated. Two plays later, quarterback Matthew Marquet scored on a 31-yard run to put the Hornets up 14-0.

Valley was able to put three points on the board on their next drive, but that was all the visitors mustered. Despite 258 rushing yards, the Rams were unable to find the end zone.

Jones turned in the play of the night with a 64-yard touchdown run halfway through the second quarter. Jones made several defenders miss as he crossed the field into the end zone.

As the game neared halftime, heavy rains and wind found their way into the stadium, making life difficult for both teams. Marquet and Jones each scored one more touchdown before halftime to give the home team a 34-3 lead at the break.

In addition to the weather, a power outage hit the stadium right before halftime, leading to a short delay.

The Hornets ground game continued to punish the Valley defense in the second half. Reynolds picked up his only touchdown of the night, and Marquet threw for his third touchdown.

Reynolds finished with 82 yards on seven carries, and Marquet finished with 134 total yards. Jones, who did not play in the second half, finished with 11 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

Chelsea travels to Chilton County for their next game on Friday, Sept. 18.