Dyersburg declaws Lions, cruise past Camden Central

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

A long but prosperous first quarter set the tone on Friday night for the Trojan football team in non-region action against Camden Central as Dyersburg scored four times in the first quarter to take a three-score lead on the way to a 69-22 win over the Lions at J.C. Sawyers Stadium for the black and gold’s first win of the season.

“Really proud of the guys,” Dyersburg Head Coach Bart Stowe said following the win. “Hey, we didn’t turn the ball over. That’s something that has been a thorn in our side during our first two games.

“We’d get some momentum and then we’d turn the ball over. Turnovers will beat you no matter what level. We really focused in on that. The assistant coaches did a good job focusing on that."

Dyersburg didn’t take long getting on the board in the first frame, scoring on a five-yard run from Demond Dillard with 10:02 left in the first quarter. Cooper Duggan added the extra point to put Dyersburg up 7-0 early.

The Trojans tacked onto their lead just a few minutes later after getting the ball back at the Camden 40-yard line. Dyersburg got on the board with a 36-yard pass from Logston Morgan to JP Noblin with 8:45 left in the first quarter. The extra point extended the Dyersburg lead to 14-0.

Dyersburg added another touchdown later in the frame as Ty’marion Hill scored on a 16-yard run. Duggan’s PAT pushed the Trojan lead to 21-0 with 5:39 left in the first frame.

After Camden answered with a touchdown and two-point conversion, the black and gold went right back to work as Morgan found Santavion Williams for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 1:14 left in the opening quarter. The extra point was good, pushing the Dyersburg lead to 28-8.

The Dyersburg scoring continued into the second quarter as Morgan followed his offensive line into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown run. Duggan’s fifth extra point put the Trojans on top 35-8 with 8:34 left in the half.

The Lions were able to answer with another score and two-pointer. Again, Dyersburg went back to work with the Trojan response. The next black and gold drive was capped by a four-yard pass from Morgan to Eric Funderburk for a score. The extra point extended the Dyersburg lead back to four scores at 42-16.

Hill added another touchdown late in the half as Dyersburg took to a 49-16 lead with 1:48 left in the half, scoring from 23 yards out.

Camden scored early in the third quarter to stop the mercy-rule briefly but Dyersburg had an answer in the form of a three-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to help the Trojans take a 56-22 lead and get the mercy rule started again.

Dyersburg tacked on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the blowout win.

In the game, Dyersburg had 31 carries for 370 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Dillard led the team in rushing with 99 yards on six carries. Funderburk had 81 yards on 11 carries to go along with his four-yard touchdown catch. Hill carried the ball four times for 80 yards.

Through the air, Morgan was 4-of-4 for 110 yards and three touchdowns.

“Different kids caught the ball and the quarterback did a really good job,” Stowe explained. “I am proud of the quarterback and how he threw it as well as the offensive line on the run and pass protection was really good.

“I think we scored every time we had the ball. Defense did a good job, too. Sure we gave up a few points but when you run that spread offense, it puts a lot of pressure on you defensively. It was a good team win.”

Dyersburg moves into Region 7-3A play next week when the Trojans host McNairy Central on Friday at 7 p.m.

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