Thriller in Brundidge,Trojans claim win

By MIKE AMOS

Sports Writer

For years all you had to do is say Brundidge-Troy and you could expect a great football game.

Friday night’s preseason Jamboree held at Bulldog Stadium in Brundidge was certainly no exception.

The two teams fought on even terms the entire night until the three minute mark of the fourth quarter when disaster struck for the Bulldogs. Tied 14-14 and back to punt at their own 21-yard line, the Bulldogs’ Marquez Foster’s knee touched the ground after fielding a low snap from center. The referee’s ruling gave CHHS the football deep in Pike County territory with just 3:01 left to play.

It was the first and only turnover of the game for the Bulldogs. But Coach Wayne Grant’s troops did not bend, getting a break of their own. After nine-yard run by the Trojans’ Roderick Burden was called back because of clipping, CHHS found themselves facing first and 19 at the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line.

After a couple of running plays gained but two yards, CHHS quarterback Kevin Stephens dropped back and found senior receiver Will Jones behind a Bulldog defender. Jones hauled in the pass and was knocked out of bounds at the one-yard line. From there Stephens followed center Brett Watson into the endzone for the score. The extra point attempt was blocked and Charles Henderson led 20-14 with just 1:37 remaining.

Pike County’s effort to come back started with a 12-yard pass from Foster to fullback Sam Diggs that gave the Bulldogs a first down at the Trojans’ 32-yard line. But with no timeouts remaining for the Bulldogs, CHHS defensive end Wesley Pennington sacked Foster twice on the final two plays of the game as time ran out.

The game seesawed back and forth in the first half, with neither team able to find the endzone. Pike County had the ball on the CHHS three-yard line early in first quarter, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty set the Bulldogs’ offense back to the 19-yard line. From there a Jeremy Lampley 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide. CHHS fought its way into Pike County territory with the running of tailback Felix Soloman. But Soloman fumbled the ball away and after a few plays, Pike County’s Tyrone Boyd broke one tackle and went 26-yards for the games first touchdown.

In the second half the Trojans came out and looked like an entirely different team. Behind the running of Soloman and Terrill Smith, Charles Henderson charged down the field, with Smith scoring from seven-yards out. CHHS was penalized for excessive celebration and was looking at a 35-yard extra point attempt. Lining up to kick the extra point, Stephens took the direct snap and found tight end Demario Byrd all alone in the endzone for the two point conversion. CHHS was now leading 8-7.

The Trojans struck again in the third quarter. For the first time of the night, Stephens found 6-foot-4 wide receiver Trevon Hemphill for a big 32-yard game to the Bulldogs’ eight-yard line. Smith hit the corner again for his second touchdown of the night and the Trojans led 14-7 with 2:37 left in the third quarter.

Burden looked to drive a nail in the coffin with a big return into Bulldog territory, but he fumbled the ball and Pike County returned it 20 yards up the field. After a pass interference call on CHHS, Foster found tight end Eddie Meadows, who rumbled his way for 18-yards. Then a screen pass from Foster to Boyd netted 23-yards to the Trojans’ five-yard line. Boyd scored from the two-yard line and Lampley tied the game at 14-14 with the extra point.

PCH opens the season next week against Eufaula in Brundidge. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Charles Henderson will have a bye next week and will play Opp in their season opener on Sept. 8. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Richard M. Scrushy Field in Memorial Stadium.