Menu
Late touchdown pass seals Trojan comeback against Northview
Friday, August 16, 2024
DMS running back Damarion Dillard (5) spins through a tackle during the Trojans win over Northview on Thursday night in Newbern.
Photo/Jason Peevyhouse
By JASON PEEVYHOUSE
The Dyersburg Middle School Trojans did something the black and gold rarely do late in the fourth quarter on Thursday night at Dyer County High School, going to the air for a 48-yard touchdown pass from Ronnie Booker to CJ Briggs to put DMS on top late in its 12-6 win over the Choctaws in Newbern.
Northview quarterback Clark Ross picks up yardage during a first-quarter scoring drive on Thursday night.
Photo/Jason Peevyhouse
The pass, which came on fourth down at the 3:12 mark of the fourth quarter, was the second score of the second half for the Trojans and was only the second pass DMS attempted to avenge last year's loss at J.C. Sawyers Stadium. In last year's game, the Trojans threw one pass which also resulted in a touchdown.
“Man, I've got to tell you that was actually an in-game call by our JV offensive coordinator,” DMS Head Coach Zach Parker said crediting Tyler Lyons with the play call.
DMS' defense then stepped up late in the final minutes. With the Choctaws driving, Trojan defenders forced and recovered a fumble to help seal the win for DMS.
“It was just a really good middle school football game,” Northview Head Coach Jason Stewart said. “They're a good team, we're a good team. They just game out on top tonight.”
Northview struck first, getting on the board on the Choctaws' opening drive with a six-yard run Josiah Barbee to cap a lengthy drive which saw several key carries from quarterback Clark Ross. The two-point conversion failed leaving Northview ahead 6-0 with 1:56 left in the opening quarter.
Each team had multiple possessions in the second frame but none resulted in points as the Choctaws took a six-point lead into the half.
DMS finally got on the board in the third quarter. After several strong runs through the opening porton of the game, Trojan running back Damarion Dillard broke out of a crowd of tacklers and raced down the DMS sideline to complete a 43-yard touchdown run early in the second half. The two-point attempt failed leaving the score tied at 6-6 with 6:39 left in the third frame.
The score remained tied until the late fourth-quarter pass for the go-ahead score by DMS.
“Coach Stewart has got such a great crowd over there,” Parker added. “Their quarterback (Clark Ross) is one of the best dudes I've ever seen play this game.”
“Our kids played extremely hard,” Stewart added. “We can't knock our effort.
“This one is on us as coaches because we've got to do a better job of getting the ball up and down the field.”
Parker added he hopes this win gives the Trojans momentum going into next week's game at Union City.
“Union City is another storied program and we're going to need all the help we can get,” Parker said.
Kickoff at Union City is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Meanwhile, the Choctaws look to bounce back next week when they welcome Crockett County to Newbern at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.
“They've got to learn how to respond to a loss,” Stewart explained. “They've got to learn how to get ready for next week.
“Crockett's going to come in here and they're going to be ready to go as well. They're a good football team, too.”