On Friday, Nov. 16 the varsity Trojans suffered a devastating loss the top-seeded team in the region, the North Side Vikings. Big Red ended their season with a final score of 7-51, with an overall record of 7-5. This record indicates dramatic progress from last season’s ending record of 3-8. The Trojans faced the Vikings at Cave Spring Middle School as a neutral field. 

The first quarter started off rocky for the Trojans, unable to make the board, while the Vikings scored four consecutive touchdowns. Vikings quarterback Jalen  Jackson ran the first touchdown in from 9 yards to start off the scoring for the cold night. The second touchdown was caused by a fumbled punt snap and leaving the Vikings 9 yards from the goal line. This caused Vikings’ KJ Bratton to run it in for the second touchdown of the night. Although the Trojans could not stop the Vikings from scoring touchdowns, the team did prevent the PAT. The Trojans did stop  three 2-point conversions giving the Vikings no opportunity for extra points.

The Trojans were falling behind, with a first quarter score 0-24.

The second quarter was just as brutal as the first, with an ending score of 0-44. The Trojans had a hard time putting up a defense in the second quarter as well. With seven minutes left to go, the Vikings scored their first touchdown of the quarter followed by another failed 2-point conversion. Following a Tunstall fumble on Tunstall’s 43-yard line, Vikings KJ Bratton recovered it gaining the possession. After a long pass, the Vikings scored another touchdown with a good PAT for the first time during the game. After the touchdown, senior Clay Hardy runs 60 yards to their own 20 yards line. This excitement was short lives after a turnover for the Vikings, leading them to another seven point touchdown.

Tunstall kicked off to North Side starting the second half.

The third quarter was a moment of rejoicing for the Trojans as they finally were on the board. The quarter started with a passing touchdown for the Vikings. With five minutes left to go in the quarter, senior Clay Hardy scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown followed by Zach Mensavage making the extra point. This kept the third quarter equal scoring, but a quarter ending score of 7-51.

The final quarter was uneventful for both teams with no scoring on either sides of the board. North Side had a quick start after a turnover on downs. Trojans and North Side went back and for possession with a an end game score of 7-51.

Although the Trojans did go home with a loss, they did still play a great game of football. The defense had four sacks throughout the game from Ryan Bartley, Buck Long, Tony Johnson, and Tyron Carter. Senior Clay Hardy led the offense with a rushing touchdown. Junior Buck long also led the defense in tackles with a total of eight throughout the duration of the game. Marquise Wimbush also had a strong night with seven tackles, 11 rushing yards, and 51 receiving yards from sophomore Dylan Burnett.

A senior reporter’s note:

As the team and I gathered on the bus after the loss we all had one thing in common, our love for the game. For my fellow seniors, this may be the end but it is also the beginning to a whole new adventure. I wanted to thank my Trojans for letting my stand on the sidelines almost every Friday and experience these feelings with you guys.

Once a Trojan, always a Trojan.

The Trojan Messenger staff would like to thank the varsity cheer squad and the varsity Trojans for participating in the social media take-over on our official snapchat. Special thank you to Elena Booth, Emily Moore, Caitlyn Jarrett, and Hannah Day for showing a great deal of Trojan Pride on Friday.