Dyersburg bounces back, thrashes Bolivar in Region 7-3A play

Dyersburg quarterback Logston Morgan (middle) drops back to pass during the Trojans' win over Bolivar in Region 7-3A action on Friday night in Dyersburg.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

By SPENCER NOEL

Special to the State Gazette

While all of West Tennessee was being hit hard due to landfall of Hurricane Francine, the rain didn’t stop Friday Night Lights. Even though most of the game was played during intermittent rain, the weather also didn’t stop Dyersburg from imposing its will on the Bolivar Tigers for a 38-0 win on Friday night at J.C. Sawyers Stadium.

Trojan receiver Ty Seaton grabs a touchdown pass during the Dyersburg win.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

Dyersburg forced the Tigers to punt on the first drive of the game and got to work on offense following a Bolivar punt.

After A.J. Higgins picked up 11 on the first play, the Trojans got into a fourth and 5. On the fourth down play, Trojan quarterback Logston Morgan threw a touchdown pass to Ty Seaton. The extra point by Elian Gonzalez was good, making the score 7-0 in favor of the home team.

The ensuing kickoff to Anthony Jones got to the Tigers 17, but a Penalty moved them back to the 7-yard line. After two modest gains, a Noah Clayton rollout pass to Colton Mayfield picked up a Bolivar first down on third and 2. On the next play, Clayton fumbled on an attempted Jet Sweep, which was recovered by A.J. Higgins for a Trojans touchdown. The extra point was good, making the score 14-0, Trojans.

During halftime of the Trojans home opener, the Lady Trojans basketball team was presented with their championship rings, which they earned by defeating Upperman 41-39 in the TSSAA Class 3A State Championship, which was the first time in school history the Lady Trojans won a state championship in girls basketball.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

Kaden Willis took the kickoff for the Tigers to their 36. Two plays resulting in no gains made it third and 10. Noah Clayton took a Quarterback rollout 16 yards for a first down. Two plays later on third and 10, Clayton threw an incompletion making it fourth down from the Trojan 49-yard line. A Bad snap on the punt gave DHS the ball at the Tigers 47-yard line. On second and 6, Logston Morgan hit Ty Seaton on a deep pass for a Trojans score. The extra point was no good, extending the Trojan lead 20-0.

BV got the kickoff at their own 17-yard line. On third and 12, John Parker Noblin sacked Noah Clayton for a loss of 11 and forced a punt. The Trojans got the ball at the Bolivar 43-yard line. After a penalty made it second and 18, Dyersburg was in a third and 15, but Necari Hall gained 37 on a toss to get down to the Tigers 17, which ended the first quarter. On the first play of the second period, a handoff to Peyton Hill went the distance for a Dyersburg touchdown. The two-point attempt was scored by A.J. Higgins, making the score 28-0.

The ensuing kickoff was muffed by the Tigers and recovered by Terrell Ragland, giving the ball back to the Trojans at the Bolivar 33. After picking up a first down, Logston Morgan threw a pass to Quincy Terry, Jr. for a gain of eight. After a loss of five, the Trojans gained four on third down and went for it on fourth and 3. Necari Hall picked up the first with a 4-yard run. On third and goal, the handoff to Peyton Hill lost two yards. The field goal attempt was no good, keeping the score 28-0.

Bolivar got the ball at their own 20. On third and 3, a Noah Clayton pass to Jayden Kessler gained ten, but a penalty negated the gain. Another two false starts moved Bolivar further back, which led to a punt, giving the Trojans the ball at the Tigers 35.

After two short gains, a handoff to Peyton Hill gained five to make it fourth and 3. A toss to Necari Hall on fourth down resulted in a no gain and a turnover on downs. After back to back losses made it third and 13, The clock ran out on the first half with the score 28-0 Trojans.

During halftime of the Trojans home opener, the Lady Trojans basketball team was presented with their championship rings, which they earned by defeating Upperman 41-39 in the TSSAA Class 3A State Championship, which was the first time in school history the Lady Trojans won a state championship in girls basketball.

Dyersburg received the second half kickoff, with A.J. Higgins taking the ball to their own 27. A fumble on second down by Necari Hall was recovered by Higgins. On the next play, Jaden Harris gained two, making it fourth and 2. Logston Morgan took a Quarterback keeper to pick up the first down. Three plays later on third and 10, Hall took a handoff 13 yards for a first down. On third and 3, another keeper by Morgan gained a first down. On the next play, Peyton Hill took a handoff 29 yards down to the Tigers 5-yard line. Two plays later, a handoff to Demond Dilliard scored for the Trojans. The two-point attempt by Higgins was good, stretching the Trojan lead to 36-0 and put the mercy rule into play for the rest of the game.

Late in the game, Bolivar had the ball at their own 7-yard line with a first and 10. Two plays later, Noah Clayton got sacked by multiple Trojans for a safety, which resulted in two points and the clock running out on the Trojans' 38-point win.

Trojans Head Coach Bart Stowe said after the game that he felt the team executed well given the circumstances with the weather. Stowe also said the team will prepare hard and needs to try to find a way to win on the road next week against regional opponent McNairy County Central in Selmer.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. next Friday night.