The Magee Trojans remained perfect after a 20-14 win over Seminary last Thursday night. The Trojans went undefeated for the tenth time in school history, finishing this season at 9-0.
It was a high intensity game last Thursday as the Trojans traveled to Seminary to face the Bulldogs on Halloween night. It was a high stakes game with a district championship on the line.
Head Coach Chase Courtney said it took his team some time to settle into the game, but they were able to make enough plays down the stretch to get the win.
Courtney said, “We played a little tight at first. I think the kids kind of felt the magnitude of it, and Seminary came out fired up. They hit an onside kick and kind of mudded the game up. We were in a war for a long time, but I was proud of the kids’ resolve.”
Courtney said his players showed tremendous resolve and had an answer for whatever Seminary threw their way. The Trojans played true complimentary football to grind their way to a win. The defense forced turnovers, and the offense protected the football and made timely plays.
The Trojans’ defense was disruptive. Defensive tackle Kyshawn Ducksworth produced a highlight play intercepting a pass and returning it 49 yards for a touchdown. Ken Porter and Jeremiah Cole each had an interception and De’Larrius Hayes forced two fumbles that were recovered by Zykerian Magee. Akavion Griffith had three pass deflections in the game. The defense made it extremely sdifficult for Seminary to move the ball.
On offense the Trojans were able to execute and take advantage of mistakes. Ken Porter scored a rushing touchdown in the first half that led to the game being tied 14-14 at halftime. The score remained tied until late in the fourth quarter when Braden Gregory took a handoff and found a crease up the middle for a 50-yard touchdown to seal the game for the Trojans.
Coach Courtney said “There was some play that bothered our kids in the first half and they had to settle down and get within themselves and the gameplan, and not let the external factors bother them. The message at halftime was that they were plenty good enough and they just needed to make the plays we know they can make and play within themselves and we’ll be fine.”
Courtney said the undefeated season was great, and the Trojans have now hit a hard reset as they prepare for the first round of the playoffs against Franklin County.
He said, “We’re 0-0 now so we’re looking to go 1-0 this week. We’re focused on the process more than the outcome and the outcome will take care of itself. That means putting in the work this week to beat a Franklin County team coming here.”
The Trojans have been a part of every type of game this year. They have blown teams out, come from behind to win, and have been locked in some back and forth battles. They have been able to win high scoring games, low scoring games and everything in between.
When asked how this will help his team in the playoffs, Courtney said, “Games are tighter. Everybody is good in the playoffs. We’ll be prepared for any type of game and control what we can. That’s very little sometimes and that’s why we are going to lock in on ourselves and worry about the process, our attitude, and effort.”
The Trojans host the Franklin County Bulldogs this Friday at home in the first round of the playoffs. Game time is 7 p.m.
