Trojans run past Hornets 48-13 to move into the third round

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Neeses – The fifth ranked Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (HKT) Trojans scored on six of their eight possessions as they raced past the eighth ranked Dixie Hornet’s 48-13 to move into the third round of the class A playoffs where they will host second ranked Lewisville, a 39-0 winner over Ridge Spring Monetta.

The game with Lewisville will be a rematch of a week two game where the Lions handed the Trojans their only defeat of the year 44-16. The Lions scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to break open a tight contest. It was also the only time all year that Trojans failed to score over 20 points.

“We played them early in the year and that is our only loss. We have to be laser focused and not make the mistakes we made the first time if we want to have a chance against them,” said HKT head coach Jermaine Derricott. “We are a much different team than when we played the first time so we need to stay focused and execute at a higher level.”

The Trojans started fast Friday night at W.H. Way, Sr Field as they forced Dixie into a three and out and then took their opening drive into the Hornets end zone on a Darion Stroman touchdown run and quarterback Ahmir Creer converting the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

The defense was dominate all night long and on Dixie’s next two possession they allowed the Hornets to gain minus 9-yards. In fact, on the Hornet’s first eight possessions the Trojan defense allowed a total of 29 yards.

“We have been solid all year on defense. We want to keep the ball going to the sideline and then chase it down and tackle,” coach Derricott said.

The Trojans scored their second touchdown of the night when Trenton Summers scored on a 16-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion made it 16-0. The 27-yard drive was set up by Summers 32-yard point return.

Dixie would strike back when Jaren Byers faked a reverse on the kick off and returned it 53 yards to set the Hornets up at the Trojan 25 yard line. Three plays late Byers lofted a pass towards the left side of the end zone where Breeden Crawford went up and over two Trojan defenders for an 11-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 16-6.

Coach Derricott said, “we made some mistakes and missed some assignments early that hurt us and you can’t do that as you go further in the playoffs.”

The Hornet score seemed to energize the Trojans as the would score on their next four possessions while the defense held the Hornet offense to 14 total yards.

First the Trojan would go 85 yards in just six plays to push the lead to 22-6. Aiden Stroman was the workhorse on this drive carrying the ball four-times for 67 yards while Kaleb Landy covered the final two yards for the score.

After the Trojans Josia Jackson picked off Byers at the Trojan 33. The offense preceded to travel the 67 yards in 9 plays to increase the lead to 30-6. Creer led this drive as he connected on three of five passes for 58 yards including a 17-yard scoring strike to Stetson Stack. Creer also hit Summers with a 29-yard pass during the drive. Stroman scored the two-point conversion.

The Trojans would score one more time before half on a 65-yard drive when Creer hit Stack again this time on a corner right from 20-yards out. The two connected again on the two-point conversion and the teams headed to the half with the Trojans up 38-6.

Stroman and Creer would put the final Trojan points on the board when Stroman busted up the middle and ran past everyone for a 42-yard touchdown run. Creer added the two points for a 48-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Dixie showed that had not quit as they put together their best drive of the night traveling 80-yards in 7 plays to score when Brandon Nance ripped off a 50 yards run right up the gut. The extra point was good for the final score of 48-13. Garrett Atkins had a 27-yard run on the drive.