The Chase Courtney era began with a win as the Trojans protected home field in a 26-13 win over West Lauderdale last Friday night.
Courtney has been preaching culture since becoming the Trojans head coach. The culture he is pushing is one that focuses on belief and winning. The Trojan players displayed their acceptance of it in their season opener.
This time last season, the Trojans found themselves on the wrong side of a one-sided game where they started fast and faded as the game went on. Last Friday was the opposite. The Trojans were able to establish themselves as the game progressed to the point where they dominated the second half.
Both defenses played extremely well during the first half, only giving up one touchdown through two quarters. Jeremiah Cole scored the first points of the season for the Trojans on an exceptional run that saw him reverse field and find the end zone from 11 yards out. The first half was relatively clean with very few penalties. Magee entered halftime trailing 6-7.
The halftime adjustments made by Courtney and his staff were effective. The Trojans moved the ball with ease on their opening drive of the second half. Kendal Middleton found a rhythm with his receivers. The connected with Christian Hubbard and Braden Gregory to move the ball within the red zone. The Trojans had some negative plays and faced a crucial fourth down and long, when Middleton threw a great ball that was caught by Antonio Floyd to keep the drive alive. Ken Porter capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. Porter was patient and let the play develop before making one cut and exploding through the line for a touchdown and the lead. The Trojans led 12-7.
West Lauderdale was able to sustain their next drive, thanks to some penalties and timely plays. Cramping also became an issue midway through the third quarter for both teams. However, the Knights were able to move the ball to the Trojans’ 1 yard line to end the third quarter. The Knights punched it in for a touchdown to start the fourth quarter with a 13-12 lead.
Magee answered quickly with a one play drive on an RPO that saw Middleton hit a wide-open Cole for a 54-yard touchdown. The crowd erupted and this momentum would carry the Trojans for the remainder of the game. The Trojans converted the 2-point conversion for a 20-13 lead.
The Trojan defense locked in from this point, led by Delarrius Hayes, who had an outstanding game from the middle linebacker position. Hayes read the defense well and flowed to the ball making several plays including a goal line stop earlier in the game.
Hayes set the tone on the next defensive possession and his teammates followed. The defensive pressure was suffocating as the Knights struggled to move the ball at all. On fourth down Quay Berkhalter rushed hard off the right edge. The punter mishandled the snap and Berkhalter blew him up to force a fumble that was recovered by the Trojans.
The offense started with excellent field position and Middleton coordinated another impressive drive that ended in a Jeremiah Cole touchdown from 15 yard sout for the final score of 26-13.
The Trojan defense sealed the game. Zykerian Magee started the next drive with a tackle for a loss, and Berkhalter followed it up with a sack. The Knights were helpless as the Trojans cruised to an impressive victory.
Head Coach Chase Courtney said, “It was muggy, hard, and physical but guys like this (Cole) were able to get us the victory. It was a really good team win, I was proud of the toughness. We grinded it out. We were down at halftime and we fought back. We really had a good second half and we took control.”
Jeremiah Cole said after the game, “We have a lot of good athletes and speed. They couldn’t hang with us.”
Cole finished the game with three touchdowns, 81 yards, and one interception.
Courtney and Cole both acknowledged how redeeming the win felt given last year’s outcome. They thrive in the underdog role and are prepared to rise to the occasion this season. The Trojans will be on the road next week as they travel to face their county rival Mendenhall Tigers this Friday in the Simpson County Super Bowl.
