By Charles Ballard
SJNT correspondent
COLDSPRING — On a windy and rainy evening, the Shepherd Pirates were hosted by the Coldspring Trojans in the annual Battle of San Jacinto County football event, one of the county’s most anticipated events.
This year delivered a thrilling matchup, which was decided by 2 points — a 36-34 win that went to the host Trojans.
The opening kickoff went to the Shepherd Pirates and within a few minutes, Preston Stephens found an opening in the Coldspring defense and managed to scamper 57 yards for the first TD of the night. The Trojans answered back with a TD, but at the end of the first half, the Pirates went into the locker room with a halftime lead of 22-14.
Then with 6:25 on the clock in the third the Trojans posted another score, and then shortly after the fourth quarter started the Pirates boosted their lead to 28-20. The Trojans answered back quickly to knot the score at 28. Toward the end of the fourth quarter the Trojans managed to score, and the Pirates answered back, but with the point after failing, the Trojans win.
Shepherd Coach Miles Robinson said he was proud of how hard the kids played, and it was an amazing game to be a part of.
Shepherd posted 331 yards total offense, with Preston Stephens carrying 38 times for 233 yards and 4 TDs. Quarterback Landen Dellinger had 53 yards rushing with 1 TD and 47 yards passing.
Coldspring Head Coach Ken Stanley said the atmosphere was that of a playoff game, and it was a gritty, tough win against a very good football team
“I’m super proud of how our kids fought,” he said.
Coldspring had 365 total yards of offense, 236 on the ground and 129 in the air, posting TDs.
Tyga Parker had 190 yards on 24 carries and 4 TDs, and David Rowe had 166 all-purpose yards — 37 rushing on 5 carries and 129 yards passing. Antwan Phillips had 83 total yards, and T.J. Johnson had 41 yards on 3 receptions.
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