TROUP — Eighth-ranked Troup and ninth-ranked Jefferson came into the District 9-2A opener with a one-up in mind for both squads -— a step up regarding the playoff picture so early in the season.

On Friday night at Tiger Stadium the running of Jefferson’s Deion Williams would not be enough for the Bulldogs, because a few breaks defensively for Troup aided the Tigers in a thrilling 26-22 win before a packed house.

Troup running back Seth Gibson may have been well below his weekly average but his 13-yard charge up the middle of the Bulldogs defense with 1:01 left in the game made the difference.

Gibson led seven Tiger ball carriers with eight runs for 23 yards. Marcus Kincade added an additional 25 yards in only four tries.

Tiger quarterback Blake Lynch utilized two long first half completions for the two Troup scores to negate two early Williams touchdown scampers for Jefferson.

Trailing 14-0, Hitachi Lydia got the Tigers on the board with a 79 yard catch-and-run.

After a bad punt by Jefferson on the next possession, it took Lynch one play to find Richard Lacy wide open down the middle of the field for a 34-yard scoring strike. The missed PAT was the only difference in the Bulldogs 14-13 halftime lead.

Jefferson held a slight 242-223 advantage in total yards in the opening two periods with Williams rushing for 105 yards on 11 carries. He finished the game with 193 yards on 20 carries and two TDs.

The Tigers’ defense stepped up late as Shaquille Rollins, Bradly Stewart and Anthony Adkins sacked the Jefferson QB on the final play of the game.

Lacy made five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown and Hitachi Lydia finished with two for 89 yards and a TD.

Wes Thompson, Chris Bell, and Marquis Davis all made fumble recoveries for the Tigers. Jefferson defensive back Terrance Whitaker had two interceptions.

The Tigers remain undefeated on the season at 6-0 and 1-0. Jefferson falls to 5-1 and 0-1.

———

Troup 26, Jefferson 22

At Troup

Jefferson 14 0 2 6 — 22

Troup 7 6 7 6 — 26

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

JEF: Deion Williams 25 run, (Lane House PAT kick good), 9:32

JEF Williams 32 run, (House PAT kick good) 1:14

TRO Hitachi Lydia 79 pass from Blake Lynch, (Gabriel Leon PAT kick good), :54

Second Quarter

TRO Richard Lacy 34 pass from Lynch, (PAT kick wide), 11:02

Third Quarter

JEF Sadarius Figures blocked punt attempt in end zone recovered by Troup, safety, 10:42.

TRO Michel Davis 2 run, (Leon PAT kick good), 1:33

Fourth Quarter

JEF Quincy Clements 7 pass from Varnell, (PAT kick blocked), 8:09.

TRO Seth Gipson 13 run, (PAT pass no good), 1:01.

Game Statistics

JEF TRO

First Downs 16 17

Rushes/Yds. 33-240 29-81

Passing Yds 133 299

Total Yds. 373 380

Comp-Att-Int 7-13-0 10-21-2

Penalties/Yds 9-100 8-70

Punts/Yds 4-37.5 1-36

Fumbles/Lost 4/3 1/0

Individual Statistics

RUSHING – J: Deion Williams 20-193; Branden Varnell 7-25; Ladarius Holt 6-22. T: Seth Gibson 8-23; Blake Lynch 11-7; Marcus Kincade 4-25; Michael Davis 3-15; Marquis Davis 1-11; Hitachi Lydia 1-2.

PASSING – J: Brayden Varnell 7-13-133-0-0. T: Blake Lynch 10-21-299-2-2.

RECEIVING – J: Terrance Whitaker 1-36; Williams 1-8; Quincy Clements 2-39; Devin Hodge 1-11; LaDarius Holt 2-35; David Police 1-4. T: Richard Lacy 5-77; 2-89; Brandon Herron 1-68; Gibson 1-3; Hitachi Lydia 2-2-89; Quintin Green 1-49.