Bruce struggled with the Coffeeville ground game and the Pirates made some big defensive plays to earn a 36-13 win over the visiting Trojans last Friday night.
“This is a good win for us,” said Coffeeville Coach Jamal Jackson, a Bruce native. “Me being from Bruce, it’s kind of bittersweet, but I’m proud of my boys.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Coffeeville ground game caught fire with QB Kendarius Cauthern and RB Antavius Moody. Cauthern finished with 109 yards on 13 carries. Moody rushed for 120 yards on 16 carries.
Zack Cruthirds
It was Cauthern who set the tone early breaking a couple of big runs around the corner on a 65 yard touchdown drive capped off by his 6-yard scoring run. A successful 2-point conversion and the Pirates led 8-0 midway through the second quarter.
The Pirates drove for another score on their next possession when Moody slipped through a couple of Trojan tackles and raced 20 yards for a score. A failed conversion attempt left the Pirates with a 14-0 lead at the half.
Bruce appeared to have an answer to start the second half when they drove the length of the field and scored on a 15-yard pass from Wesley Ross to Tyrique Gunn Armstrong. Tyler Donovan added the extra point for a 14-7 score.
After a big defensive stand, the Trojans took over at midfield and appeared to have all the momentum when the game turned for good. A miscommunication between Ross and the intended receiver led to the pass hitting Coffeeville’s Denicholas Gladney in stride who raced 59 yards for the Pirate touchdown and a 22-7 lead.
The Pirates dominated from that point forward scoring on a 35-yard halfback pass, on fourth and 15, and another interception return for a touchdown.
“They have a great team,” Bruce Coach James Ray said. “We had five starters out and that put our depth on the field. We had no depth and started dragging, especially in the fourth quarter. Even if we had everybody it would have been a tight ball game because they have a great team.”
Bruce’s final score came on a 65-yard pass play from Ross to Armstrong-Gunn. Ross finished the night 7-23 passing for 140 yards, two touchdown and two interceptions. Armstrong-Gunn was again his most frequent receiver with six catches for 127 yards and two scores.
The Trojan ground game struggled much of the night. Jay Johnson finished as their top rusher with 13 carries for 43 yards.
Antarius Galss led the Trojan defense with 15 tackles. Armstrong-Gunn added 12, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Tyler Donovan also had a forced fumble for Bruce.
“We’re going to fix our things and get right. Hopefully get all our players back and be ready for district play,” Ray said.