Troup Takes Down Jefferson, 26-22, in Battle of District Unbeatens [VIDEO]

TROUP — The Troup Tigers came from behind to remain the only undefeated team in District 9-2A Division I play, as they squeaked by previously undefeated Jefferson, 26-22, on Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

Sophomore quarterback Blake Lynch completed 9 of 17 passes to rack up 320 yards and two touchdowns in the Troup (6-0, 1-0 in District 9-2A Division I) victory, which set up the Tigers' matchup against area power Tatum next week.

“We worked hard on standing back and tackling Jefferson’s running back (Deion Williams),” Troup tailback Marcus Kincade said. “We’re going to focus on Tatum’s running game for next week and staying on top of their passing game.”

Down 22-20 with 1:01 remaining in the game, Troup’s Seth Gibson found a hole in the Jefferson defensive line, allowing him to race into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown that would clinch the victory for the Tigers.

Jefferson (5-1, 0-1) got off to a quick 14-0 lead, using an interception by Terrance Whitaker on the Tigers’ 25 yard line to their advantage. Quarterback Brayden Varnell handed off to Williams for the first two touchdowns of the game, in which Williams scored from 25 and 32 yards out, respectively.

Troup was able to respond, however. On first down at their own 21-yard line, Lynch connected with Hitachi Lydia for an 80-yard touchdown to put Troup on the board. Following a Bulldogs punt, the Tigers struck again on a 35-yard pass from Lynch to Richard Lacy to put Troup within one at 14-13.

With 10:38 left in the third quarter, Jefferson picked up a safety to extend its lead to 16-13. Whitaker then collected his second pick of the night on the Bulldogs’ 46-yard line.

After Jefferson turned the ball over on downs at the Troup 30, Lynch hit Brandon Hearon with a 65-yard pass, which set the Tigers up for a 2-yard touchdown run by Michael Davis.

With 7:58 left in the game, Jefferson answered back when Varnell spotted Quincy Clements for an 8-yard touchdown pass and a 22-20 lead.

“We didn’t work on the correct things this week in practice,” said Troup Head Coach Dennis Alexander. “We thought we could run the ball and we really didn’t. Everything came out of the passing game. Jefferson did a great job defensively and the game was very back and forth. It was a good win; we just got confused in a lot of situations. We play Tatum next week, so we’ll have to work on everything before that matchup.”

Gibson carried the ball eight times for 46 yards and one touchdown while Kincade rushed twice for 10 yards in the Tiger victory.

Williams rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, and Varnell completed 11 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown in the Bulldogs' loss.

Troup travels to Tatum next Friday and Jefferson plays host to Sabine.

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