A closely contested game in the first half got away from the Bruce Trojans in the second half as Choctaw County utilized a power running game to pull away for their first win of the season, 38-21.
“It was the physicality. We stood up and they drove off,” Bruce Coach James Ray said. “We were in a catch mode instead of attack mode. It’s something we’ve been working on since day one. We’ve just got to keep working on it.”
After the Chargers took an early 6-0 lead, Justin Flemons intercepted a Choctaw County pass to set up the Trojan offense. Bruce QB Wesley Ross hit Ike Willis with a strike to the 2-yard line and then punched it in himself on the next play. Paul Tutor’s extra point put the Trojans in front 7-6.
Ross would find Antarius Glass on the Trojans’ next possession with a 57-yard pass deep into Charger territory. Ross would again account for the touchdown with a short run up the middle for a 14-6 Bruce lead early in the second quarter.
Choctaw would answer with a long touchdown drive, all via the ground. A successful 2-point try and and the game was tied at 14 at the half.
Bruce opened the second half with a big play to recapture the lead. Ross hit Jordon Glaspie crossing over the middle and he turned it up the sidelines 75 yards for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead.
Choctaw dominated from there. They drove the length of the field on the ensuing possession, all with power running right up the gut, and scored to tie the game at 21 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.
The Trojans’ Rynez Holland was stripped of the football on the first play of the ensuing drive and Choctaw took over at the Bruce 21. The Trojan defense held from there, but a 27-yard field goal put the Chargers up 27-24.
After a 3-and-out from the Trojans, Choctaw drove for another score to go up 31-21 and would add another late in the fourth quarter for the 38-21 final.
The Trojans dropped to 3-3 on the season and will open region play next Friday when they host Winona.
“It’s like I told the team after the game, all I know to do is show up Monday and go to work,” Ray said.