NTL FOOTBALL: FAST START, DOMINATING DEFENSE CARRIES TROY TO 55-0 WIN OVER ATHENS (2024-09-14)
Valley Sports ReportTROY — Troy’s Lincoln Chimics returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a score, and the Trojans never looked back in a 55-5 romp over Athens here Saturday night in NTL Large School football action at Alparon Park.
“We’re not as good as we thought we were,” said Athens coach Shawn Bradley.
“Our kids did not match up, they didn’t step up this week. Last week, the kids stepped up, tonight they did not.
“Obviously, Troy is a very good team, and they’re going to go a long way, but right now, we’re at a turning point,” noted Bradley. “Our kids have to make a decision — we’re going to get better from this, or we’re going to crumble.
“They have the rest of the season to prove themselves,” he added.
Troy’s defense dominated play from the outset, and the offense was able to turn good field position into touchdowns each time it touched the football.
The Wildcats did not get a first down until early in the second quarter. Their four possessions in the first quarter ended with three punts and a fumble, which was a snap over the punter’s head.
The Trojans turned all four into TDs — two 3-yard TD runs by Brendan Gilliland, a 1-yard run by QB Evan Woodward, and a 29-yard TD run by Mason Smith — to take a 34-0 lead into the second quarter.
Athens’ sophomore QB Connor Davidson threw a pair of interceptions in the second quarter, and Troy added two more TDs — a 1-yard run by Reed Palmer, and a 36-yard by Gilliland to take a 48-0 advantage into the halftime locker room.
Troy added a 14-yard TD run by Jayden Kutt on its first possession of the second half to provide the final margin.
Troy place-kicker was 7-for-8 on PAT kicks.
The Trojans had a 348-61 advantage in total offense.
Troy, which rushed for 205 yards, was led on the ground by Gilliland, who had 64 yards and three TDs on six carries, and Derek Parks, who had 46 yards on five carries.
Woodward, who rushed for 17 yards and one TD on three carries, completed 5 of 7 passes for 111 yards.
Chimics led Troy with two catches for 62 yards, while Mason Smith had two receptions for 17 yards, and Palmer and Roland Smith each had one grab for 32 yards.
Davidson, who entered the game with 495 rushing yards, was held to 13 yards on 13 carries as the Wildcats were held to 20 rushing yards on 29 carries.
Davidson completed 6 of 18 pass attempts for 39 yards, and Kade Rowe was 1-for-1 for 2 yards.
Sean Peters led Athens with four receptions for 18 yards.
Athens, now 2-2, hosts North Penn-Mansfield next Saturday.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Lucas Persun. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens sophomore Gage Marmor. … PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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