Trojans run past Bobcats in Region 7-3A action

Dyersburg running back A.J. Higgins picks up a big gain during the first quarter of the Trojans' win on Friday night in Selmer against McNairy Central in Region 7-3A play.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

By JASON PEEVYHOUSE

Sports Editor

It may have been fitting that, on the Trojans longest trip of the regular season on Friday night in Selmer, the Dyersburg (3-2, 2-1) offense put up its long night of yardage as the black and gold gained over 400 yards during their 38-6 win over the McNairy Central Bobcats (1-3, 0-2) in Region 7-3 play.

Trojan defenders Caleb Deberry (12) and John Parker Noblin wrap up a Central ball carrier during Dyersburg's win in Selmer on Friday night.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

Five running backs and quarterback Logston Morgan combined to gain 372 yards on 37 rushing plays for an average of just over 10 yards per carry during the Dyersburg win.

“We put it on the shoulders of our offensive line,” Dyersburg Head Coach Bart Stowe said. “Our backs ran hard and protected the football. We didn't turn the ball over.

“The ground attack was here and that's what we wanted to do. We wanted to keep getting positive yards and keep moving forward.”

After a three-and-out by the Dyersburg defense, the Trojans got to work on offense beginning at their own 26-yard line. Runs from Peyton Hill got things going for the black and gold and helped take Dyersburg across midfield to the McNairy 39-yard line after an AJ Higgins carry. Two plays later another Higgins carry covered 23 yards to the Central 2-yard line before a Morgan quarterback sneak capped the drive with a touchdown. Elian Gonzalez added the extra point to put the Trojans up 7-0 with 6:32 left in the first quarter.

Both teams swapped punts then Dyersburg got a four-down defensive stop to get the ball back deep in their own territory in the early part of the second quarter. Again, Hill was a workhorse along with Necari Hall and Higgins, banging the ball down the field on nine plays before Hill capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Gonzalez added the extra point to push the Dyersburg lead to 14-0 with just over seven minutes left in the half.

The Trojan defense forced another turnover on downs later in the half then went more than 80-percent of the field to score again. A 30-yard pass from Morgan to Breyden Turnage took the Trojans across midfield before a Hill 46-yard touchdown run two plays later capped the drive. Gonzalez's extra point put Dyersburg on top 21-0 with 1:09 left in the second quarter.

McNairy was held on three quick plays in the final minute of the half leading to a Deyrsburg timeout. Following the McNairy punt, it took just one play for the Trojans to get into the end zone as Quincy Terry raced 46 yards for the score. The Gonzalez PAT pushed Dyersburg's lead to 28-0 at the half.

Aided by three Central penalties during the opening drive of the second half, Dyersburg marched down the field before scoring on a four-yard run by Higgins. The extra point gave the Trojans a 35-0 lead with 5:48 left in the third quarter and also brought the mercy rule into play.

Dyerbsurg added a 27-yard field goal by Gonzalez with about 4:15 left in the game before Central touchdown pass on the final play of the game prevented the Dyersburg shutout bid.

“Defensively, we didn't give up any points until the end of the game,” Stowe added. “We had a lot of our younger players in then.

“Our defense turned in another stellar performance just like they did last week.”

The Trojan defense gave up just 136 yards combined in the win.

Dyersburg will be at home during the next two weeks as the team heads towards it's Week 8 bye week during a three-game homestand. The Trojans will face North Side next Friday night for Homecoming 2024 in the team's final non-region game of the season. After that is a showdown with Westview (who defeated previously unbeaten Dyer County 47-14 on Friday not to remain unbeaten themselves) before the Trojans will head into their bye week.

“We had a good crowd here tonight,” Stowe said of the fans who showed up in Selmer on Friday night. “It's a long bus ride. We've got great fans here at Dyersburg.

“Dyersburg is truly a special place. But, we're looking forward to playing at home.”

Kickoff between Dyersburg and North Side is set for 7 p.m. Friday night at J.C. Sawyers Stadium.