Friday night the Trojans could not get it together, and they have chalked up another loss. The good news is that they never gave up their fight with the Raleigh Lions.
The game marks the Trojans’ second loss in conference play. Their current standings for the season has their record at three wins and five losses. The remainder of their three games will all be conference play.
Friday night had Taylor McGuire and Chad Loftin as captains for the game. Trojans won the toss and decided to receive the opening kick from the Lions, who were playing at home in the Jungle.
Opening kick off went to Zach Hall, who returned the ball to the 18 only to see it fumbled with Raleigh taking possession.
The Lions would advance the ball for a first down and Josh Sanders would make the tackle. The ball was marked on the 7 yard line and the Lions would drive in and score with less than one minute off the clock. The Lions took a 6 point lead after the extra point attempt was no good.
The Lions kicked off to the Trojans and Hall got the ball again and moved it to the Trojan 21 yard line. Etoya Traxlor carried the ball for a 4-yard Trojan gain. The next play saw QB Chandler Pittman advance the ball to the 48 yard line.
Pittman then completed a pass to Josh Sanders for a first down on the Lions’ 29 yard line. Pittman would complete another pass to Sanders for another first down on the Lion 11 yard line.
Pittman would drive up the middle and position the Trojans at the 4 yard line. Malik Paul would carry the ball up the left to the two yard line. With 8:53 on the clock in the first quarter, Pittman punched it through and Magee would take a one point lead following the extra point. Magee led 7 to 6.
Sam Rials kicked the ball to the Lion 27 yard line. On the next play the Trojan line would hold, and the Lions would be 2nd and 10. The Lions would then try a reverse to pick up four yards. The Lions would then advance the ball with Steven Durr bringing the player down at the Lion’s 46. Chase Rankin would be credited with the next two tackles.
Jaden Chatman would intercept the ball and the Trojans would get a five yard penalty and the ball would be on Magee’s 5 yard line. Chandler Pittman carried the ball to the 10 and the Trojans would pick up another penalty. Jermond Winn would carry the ball and the Trojans would be 2nd down and 9. Pittman would carry the ball for a first down, the Trojans could not capitalize and a pass intended for Matthew Thurman would be intercepted. With 33 seconds on the clock the Lions scored, making it a 14 to 7 game.
The Trojans would take possession, and Chandler Sullivan would return the ball to the 41 yard line. Trojans would be forced to punt. At 10:03 in the second quarter, the Lions would score again making the score 21 to 7.
Sanders received the kickoff and returned the ball to the 41 yard line. Pittman would pass to Chatman and be down at the 50 with one yard to go for a first down. Pittman would then carry the ball to the 35 for another Trojan first down. Pittman would then hand off to Winn for another 2-yard gain. Pittman gained 7 yards on a quarterback keep. Paul received a handoff and rushed for a first down at the Lion 20 yard line. Trojans would then move down to a 1st and goal.
At that point, Magee was penalized for a fan penalty for 15 yards. A member of the chain gang said the fan was criticizing the official and was ejected from the game. He said the comments were personal and not profane. Trojans were then forced to punt. The Lions would take possession and with 34 seconds on the clock Raleigh would score again making the score at half time 28 to 7 in favor of Raleigh.
Magee would kick to Raleigh at the start of the second half. The Lions would post another score at 8:23 in the third quarter and Raleigh led 35 to 7. It would not stop there. On the Lions’ next possession they scored again leading the game 42 to seven.
To their credit, the Trojans would not give up. In the fourth quarter they would score on a pass from Pittman to Thurman making the score 42 to 14.
Raleigh would take possession at their one yard line. Trojans got tough and forced them to punt the ball. Pittman would advance the ball and the Trojans would eventually score, making it 42 to 21. An on-side kick would be unsuccessful and the Lions would take possession at their own 44.
The Trojans gained possession and completed a lateral pass, but the series would be interrupted by an interception by the Lions.
The Trojans would see their final score for the night bringing it to a 42 to 28 ball game.
The Magee Trojans will face Saint Andrews this Friday night at 7 p.m. in Magee.
