Trinity Collegiate routs Atlantic Collegiate
#10 Logan Galloway gets ready for the next play. PHOTO BY JAMESON SHEEHY.
#0 Courtlyn Brunson leads the defensive line against the Atlantic Collegiate Academy offense. PHOTO BY JAMESON SHEEHY.
#7 Kade Amell throws a pass to #0 Courtlyn Brunson. PHOTO BY JAMESON SHEEHY.
By Don Gearhart
Hoping to reach the .500 mark on the season, the Titans from Trinity Collegiate hosted a first-year program from Conway in the Atlantic Collegiate Academy Armada. The Titans received the opening kickoff and failed to move the sticks on their first possession. After punting to the Armada 32-yardline, the defense held strong, and, when the punt attempt was fumbled, the Titans took over on the Armada 27-yardline. After an incomplete pass and a two-yard rush, 8th grade quarterback, Cade Amell lofted a 25-yard touchdown pass to Courtlyn Brunson. The extra point kick attempt was blocked but the Titans had a 6-0 lead with 6:52 left in the opening quarter. Starting on their own 41-yardline, the Armada had their best drive of the night. Using a passing game, they were able to reach the Titans two-yardline before the drive stalled and ended in a blocked field goal attempt. Starting deep in their own territory, the Titans managed to gain six yards on two plays as the first quarter ended.
On third-and-four, Amell’s pass to the flats was intercepted with less than a minute gone in the second quarter. Tristan McGee then hit Jalen Bellamy on a 10-yard touchdown play. The point-after kick was good and the Armada held a 7-6 lead that quieted the home crowd. That didn’t last for long as the Titans methodically drove down the field and scored on an Amell quarterback draw. The 2-point conversion made the score 14-7 in favor of the Titans with 8:34 remaining in the half. The Armada went backwards on their next possession and Trinity Collegiate took over on the Armada 44-yardline after a short punt. Four plays later, Brunson weaved his way through the Armada defense for a 37-yard touchdown. Tristian Spann completed the 2-point conversion on a jet sweep and the Titans owned a 22-7 lead with 5:45 left. A three-and out by the Armada put the Titans in great field position at the Armada 35-yardline. On the first play, Amell hit a streaking Spann for the 35-yard touchdown. Davidson Lynch found Quincey Chaney alone in the corner of the endzone for a successful 2-point conversion to give the Titans a 30-7 lead with 3:34 until the halftime horn. The Titans onside kick, however, caused another change to the scoreboard as Scotti Turner, Jr. fielded the kick and burst through the Titans defenders for the Armada touchdown. The PAT kick was good and the score was now 30-14. After a good kickoff return by Brunson, Amell once again hooked up with Spann for a 33-yard gain, then hit Brunson on a slant for a 13-yard score. Lynch rushed up the middle for the 2-point conversion and the Titans increased their lead to 38-14 with 2:54 to play. Forced to punt again, the Armada were not expecting Brunson to cut across the field behind a wall of blockers for a 46-yard punt return for a touchdown. Although the conversion attempt failed, the Titans lead was now 44-14 with 1:32 remaining until halftime. The Armada did drive to the Titans 24-yardline as the clock hit zero on the scoreboard.
Thirty-eight seconds into the third quarter, an Armada pass was intercepted by Landen Newman and returned 72 yards for another Titans score. The conversion failed but the Titans now led 50-14. At the request of the Armada coaching staff, the Mercy Rule was initiated. On the Armada next possession, it was lightning striking twice as Logan Galloway jumped the route, intercepted a screen pass, and had a wide open path to the endzone for a 30-yard pick six. Lynch connected with Chaney for the 2-point conversion and a 58-14 lead with 11:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
With the Titans subbing freely on both sides of the ball, and lack of offense from the Armada, the third quarter flew by with a running clock. The Trinity subs then had an impressive drive that lasted most of the fourth quarter. With the ball on the Armada 4-yardline, cheers from the Titans student section called for standout lineman, Gates Chapman. The coaches complied and the big guy didn’t disappoint by rushing into the endzone. Matt Dameron kicked the PAT that capped the scoring for the night at 65-14.
In other County games, Hartsville defeated Camden 55-21, Darlington lost to Lugoff-Elgin 7-0, and Lamar lost to Airport 10-2.