By Scott Womack
TCNS correspondent
TRINITY — After a long off season and endless practices in the August heat, the Tigers were finally able to display the results, and after two consecutive winless seasons, the young Tiger team came up with an impressive win.
Trinity downed stepped onto the turf at Tiger Stadium determined to erase the pain of the past and open a new chapter in Tiger Football.
The Tigers opened the game on defense and set the tone for the game, keeping the Bobcats to 3-and-out on their drives.
The first play of the Tiger drive resulted in a fumble that gave the Bobcats great field position at the Tiger 20-yard line, but the swarming Tiger defense was able to push them back 11 yards to take over on downs. Seven plays later the Tigers put together a drive which included a 22-yard pass completion to Ayden DeBose and a 21-yard touchdown run by Jammele Johnson. The extra point kick was added by Daniel Sanchez giving the Tigers a 7-point lead.
The Tiger Defense continued to keep the Bobcats from moving the ball and on the Tigers next offensive possession, Johnson broke away from the pack for a 46-yard touchdown run, with the extra point the Tigers led 14-0. The defense continued to stifle the Bobcat offense, and the Tigers got one last possession before halftime and put together an 8-play drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown run by Terian Maxie, with the extra point the Tigers took a 21-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Tigers took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and took just five plays for Johnson to find the end zone after breaking away for a 46-yard run. The failed extra point gave the Tigers a 26-0 lead. The Tigers kicked the ball deep into the Bobcat end of the field setting the stage for another defensive stand capped by a muffed punt in the end zone recovered by the Tigers and extending their lead to 34-0.
The next Bobcat possession resulted in another forced turnover by the defense which led to another score for the Tigers off a 15-yard run by Ayden DeBose. Again, the Tiger Defense was able to come up with a big play when #9 Darrin Bass intercepted a Bobcat pass and took it to the Bobcat 8yard line.
The 4th quarter opened with the Tigers attempting a field goal, but the kick was blocked and scooped up by the Bobcats and in what appeared to be a breakaway touchdown for the Bobcats, resulted in a showcase of the Tigers speed when DeBose ran down the runner at the Tiger 22-yard line.
Trailing by 41 points, the Bobcats were able to find a hole in the Tiger defense and punch the ball into the end zone. The next possession for the Tigers was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown run by DeBose, giving the Tigers a much-needed opening 41-6 victory.
In the game, the Tigers forced 5 turnovers, 2 on special teams and 3 on defense; and had 6 offensive touchdowns and one touchdown on special teams. Jammele Johnson led the rushing attack with 148 yards and 3 touchdowns, followed by Ayden DeBose with 2 touchdowns and 90 rushing yards and Turbo Maxie capped off the scoring with 52 yards and one touchdown.
The coaching staff and players were both incredibly pleased with the victory and Coach Shaun Stout complimented the team on their victory and reminded them there is still more work to be done as they prepare to travel to Groveton for the Trinity County rivalry. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Indian Stadium in Groveton.
Groveton
The Indians showed promise during their opening game against the Alto Yellowjackets on Friday, but ultimately ended up with a 28-12 loss.
Head Coach Michael Waldie said he was proud of the team’s effort but was disappointed in the execution.
“We had a blocked punt for (Alto’s) first TD, a pick-6 for another (Alto) TD, a snap over our head led to another TD,” he said. “We didn’t finish two drives, and that combined with the blocked punt and interception, the two-score game changed.”
Waldie said he was proud of the defense which played hard in some bad situations, and while the offense did some good things, Alto was very talented and athletic on defense, making for a tough matchup.
“I expect massive improvements this week, and we are working hard to take big steps towards that,” he said.
Standouts in the game were Carter Cox and Haygen Townsend on the offensive line, and Wyatt Snead at running back.
Apple Springs
Even after losing nine seniors, the Eagles opened up their 6-man season with a huge 42-26 win over Fruitvale on Friday.
Offensively, Zeth Dugat had 9 carries for 145 yards, 3 catches for 31 yards, and 3 TDs; Nate Sanders went 9-of-22 for 149 yards passing and 3 TDs; and Kane Dugat pulled in 5 catches for 108 yards and 2 TDs.
On defense, Noah Thompson had 16 tackles; Bradyn Kaufman had 12 tackles; Kayden Roden had 7 tackles; Nathan Smith had 5 tackles; Peyton Williams and Blaize McSwain had 4 tackles each; Colton Brasuell had 3 tackles; Rance Howell and Kason Harris had 2 tackles each; and Zeth Dugat, Kane Dugat, Preston Murray and Drake Pierce each had 1.
On special teams, Zeth Dugat had a 61-yard kick return for a TD; Kayden Roden converted 3 out of 5 PATs; and Peyton Williams blocked a Fruitvale PAT.
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