DMS Trojans fall in TMSAA Sectional Champions in overtime




Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports


With the TMSAA Sectional Championship on the line at West Collierville Middle School on Wednesday afternoon, the Dyersburg Middle School Soccer Trojans nearly pulled off a storybook comeback but fell 3-2 to the Dragons in the final game of the season.

“To participate in a game of this magnitude is a unique experience for our fans and players,” Dyersburg Head Coach Matt Duggan said. “Not only was this the TMSAA Sectional final but it was our teams final game with an undefeated season on the line.

“Unfortunately, the game didn’t end the way we expected. Our players will learn more from this loss than they did from the 17 wins in a row. To lose a game like this stings. It’s emotionally difficult for most. But hopefully it motivates our players to get to the next level and to train hard in the offseason.”

In a tightly-called game at the goals, Dyersburg fell behind the first half. A foul in the box in the eighth minute resulted in a penalty kick which Trojan goalkeeper Cooper Duggan denied to keep the game scoreless.

But, later in the half, in the 22nd minute, another foul on the Trojans in the box resulted in a second penalty kick which the Dragons were able to get into the goal to take a 1-0 lead with eight minutes left in the half.

Late in the half, a third penalty in the box resulted in yet another West Collierville penalty kick. Like the first one, Duggan was able to stop the initial kick but the rebound was handled by a West Collierville player and put into the goal to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead in the 28th minute, which stood until the half.


Dyersburg continued to battle through the opening of the second half and it finally paid off with about 10 minutes left in the game. In the 49th minute of play, Trojan eighth-grader Celso Gonzales went for a free kick from about 25 yards out and, after a great bounce, found its way into the net to cut the Dragon lead in half.

But, the Dyersburg rally wasn’t complete yet as DMS got on the board again as Hudson Ford found the back of the net with a kick in a frenzy in front of the goal to tie the game at 2-2 in the 51st minute.

From there, both teams each had a couple of chances before the game went into overtime tied at 2-2.


In the extra frame, both teams fought back and forth for the TMSAA Sectional Championship before the Dragons were able to sneak one by to get the win and the sectional title.

“Tonight’s game was a great one for both teams,” Duggan added. “The win could have gone to either team.

“The first half, West Collierville played better than we did. They were awarded three penalty kicks in the first half. Our goalkeeper, Cooper, stopped two of the three PKs. West Collierville did score on one of the rebounds produced by the blocked PK.

Duggan praised the Trojans for their comeback in the second half to force overtime.

“Down 2-0 going into the second half, our teams showed their resilience and we clearly played better,” the Trojan head coach said. “Celso and Hudson both had great goals and our defense played really well. Unfortunately, in OT, the team that scores the first goal wins and that was not us. West Collierville came down on the right side of the field and hit a nice cross in front of our goal and their left winger put it in. It was a nice goal.”


The loss ends the Trojans' season with a 17-1 record.

“I’m obviously proud of our boys for the results they produced during the season,” Duggan added. “I’m thankful for all the support from our parents, faculty and people in the Dyersburg community. It’s a great day to be a Trojan!”

Coverage of this game brought to you by:





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What A Game! Dyer County beats Dyersburg with PAT in OT

Image
  Jason Peevyhouse Editor, JP Productions Sports With the fanbases from both local schools in attendance and supporting their favorite teams, Dyer County rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to score twice in the third quarter. But, a late touchdown by the Trojans forced overtime where a special teams became the most important part of the game as the Choctaws blocked Dyersburg’s extra point attempt then were able to score and sophomore DC kicker Jotham Powell hit a PAT for the 35-34 win to open the season. The game marked the first career win for new Dyer County Head Coach Justin Dubruiel. It was also the first win by a Choctaw team at Dyersburg since 2007. “It was good,” Dubruiel said following the win. “It was good for our kids and good for Dyer County. “Whenever you can beat Dyersburg, it’s a fun night for everybody.” Trailing by a touchdown at the half, Dyer County was able to get a stop on defense, forcing a three-and-out. On the ensuing punt, Choctaw juni...
Read more

Trojans headed to Region 7-3A Championship for the first time in 21 years

Image
  Jason Peevyhouse JP Productions Sports Thanks to a stellar second half which saw the Trojans outscore Haywood 45-23, the Dyersburg boys will play for a region championship for the first time since 2004 after the black and gold’s 68-55 win over the Tomcats on Tuesday night in Newbern. "I think our kids were extremely engaged from the tip," Dyersburg Head Coach Blaine Mahaffey said. "I thought we rebounded well all night.  "And then, in the second half, when we were able to play a little bit better offensively, I think it showed up more." Trailing by nine at the break, the Trojans cut it to eight early in the second half but a three-pointer from Haywood put the Tomcats back up 35-24 with just over seven minutes left in the frame. Dyersburg went on a tear after a Breyden Turnage bucket was followed by a layup from AJ Higgins. This opened up four-minute stretch which saw the Trojans outscore Haywood 19-3 and was capped by a Jeff Cobb three-point play and tw...
Read more