Trojans keep North Side at bay for third straight win

Dyersburg's Peyton Hill (5) breaks free for a big gain during the Trojans' win over North Side on Thursday night at J.C. Sawyers Stadium.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

By SPENCER NOEL

Special to the State Gazette

While the contest between the Indians of North Side and the Trojans was originally scheduled for Friday, Mother Nature had other intentions; Dyersburg came out on a shortened week and imposed their will on the Indians on Thursday, beating North Side 37-26 at J.C. Sawyers Stadium.

Trojan senior Breydan Turnage scores on a 21-yard pass during Dyersburg's win on Thursday night.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

The Indians elected to receive the opening kickoff, and they wasted no time getting on the board, as Javonte Smith took the opening kickoff all the way to the end zone. The extra point was blocked by Jackson Duggan, making the score 6-0 Indians.

The ensuing kick was taken by Necari Hall down at the Trojans 11-yard line. A handoff to Peyton Hill on second and 12 picked up 20 yards. The next run by Hill goes 11 for another first down. Two short gains made it third and 6. A pass from Logston Morgan to Ty Seaton was incomplete, resulting in fourth down. A Dyersburg punt gave North Side the ball at their own 10.

After the Trojan defense forced a third and 12, the Indians had two pass plays that went for 15-plus yards. After another first down pass, North Side got into a third and 17. The Trojan defense held, making it fourth and 17 and forcing a punt.

Trojan quarterback Logston Morgan (right) hands off to Peyton Hill during the Dyersburg victory.

Photo/Courtesy of Spencer Noel

The ensuing drive started at the Trojan 12, but Dyersburg went three-and-out. North Side got the ball at their own 47. The Indians gained a first down via penalty, but was put into a fourth and 3 situation, which resulted in a turnover on downs.

The Trojans got the ball at their own 37. After gaining and losing four yards on consecutive plays, The Black and Gold gained five on third and 10, which resulted in a punt. The Indians got the ball at their own 35, but three negative plays forced a fourth and 15 punt by Bryan Moore, which was blocked by defensive back Peyton Hill. Dyersburg got the ball at the Indians 45. On the first play, A.J. Higgins took a handoff down to the 20-yard line. On the next play, Peyton Hill took a handoff the rest of the way for a Trojans touchdown. The extra point was no good, tying the score at six a piece.

The Indians got the ball at their own 43. After picking up a first through the air, North Side quarterback Henry Coman misfired four straight pass attempts which resulted in a turnover on downs at the Trojans 44. After marching down the field on the ground, Logston Morgan threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Breyden Turnage. The extra point was no good, making the score 12-6 Trojans.

North Side got the ball at their own 41 on the kickoff. On the first play, 3 Trojans combined for a sack on Henry Coman. A short gain made it third and 16, where two Trojans combined for another sack, which led to a North Side punt, fielded by Ty Seaton at the Trojans 37. Peyton Hill took the first handoff on the drive for 15. After being backed up on second and 12, Necari Hall put the Trojans in a third and 1 situation. Logston Morgan took the QB keeper 3 yards for a Trojans first down. With 35 seconds left in the half, the Trojans had the ball on third and 9 from the 11. A North Side sack forced a 40 yard FG attempt by Elian Gonzalez, which was good, making the score 15-6 Trojans heading into the half.

The Trojans got the ball to start the second half, but went three-and-out, punting to the Indians at their own 29. The black and gold defense held strong, also forcing a three-and-out and gave the ball back to the Trojans offense at midfield. Dyersburg marched down the field in eight plays, the final of which was a one-yard quarterback sneak by Logston Morgan. The two-point attempt by Necari Hall was successful, making the score 23-6 Trojans.

The Indians took the ensuing kickoff to the 33-yard line. After losing yards on first down, North Side quarterback Henry Coman threw a pass to Davien Caruthers out of the backfield that went the distance for an Indians score. The two-point attempt by Quinn Jenkins was good, which made the score 23-14 Trojans.

Jaden Harris took the ensuing kickoff to the Trojans 41-yard line. The Trojans picked up a first down as the third quarter expired.

As the fourth period began, Dyersburg was marching down the field, which saw the Trojans in a third and 5 from the Indians 19, which Dyersburg picked up on fourth and 1 with Logston Morgan sneak. The next play, a handoff to Peyton Hill went 12 yards for the Dyersburg score. The two-point attempt was no good, making the score 29-14 Trojans.

The Indians once again took the ensuing kickoff to the house for a touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, making the score 29-20 Dyersburg.

Dyersburg got the ball at their own 20 with a touchback on the kickoff. On second and long, a pass from Logston Morgan to Breyden Turnage moved the Trojans to the 47-yard line. Two plays later, Peyton Hill took a handoff 52 yards for a Dyersburg score. The two-point attempt by Necari Hall was good, making the score 37-20 Trojans.

The Indians got the ball back at their own 47. On second and 6, a pass from Henry Coman to Javonte Smith got North Side down to the Trojan 5. Two plays later, a QB keeper from Coman scored. The two-point attempt was no good, leaving the score 37-26, Trojans.

The Trojans got the ball back and ran down the clock as much as they could before being forced to punt with 2:10 remaining, but A.J. Higgins would thwart a comeback effort as he intercepted Henry Coman with 50 seconds remaining to end the game.

After the game, Trojans head coach Bart Stowe praised the team for continuing to battle against a good Jackson North Side team on a shortened week.

“We knew it would take a lot to beat this team,” Stowe said, “I cannot say enough how the assistants worked hard, and how the players listened and kept fighting and kept getting better. These boys have won 3 games in a row, and we are really proud of that.”

Stowe said the Trojans are going to enjoy this win, but look forward to the game next week against Westview. The Trojans host the Chargers on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.