The Bruce Trojans survived a scare from upset-minded Coffeeville and earned a 26-19 win in overtime.
The Pirates were first to crack the scoreboard with a big defensive play. The Trojans appeared driving for the game’s first touchdown when Jamar Brown was hit and fumbled at the Pirate 13-yard line. Dytarius Dudley picked up the loose football and raced 87 yards down the Pirate sideline for a Coffeeville touchdown.
Trailing 7-0, the Trojans quickly answered. Jay Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff to near midfield and QB Donta Armstrong led a touchdown drive culminated by his 6-yard scoring run. Tyler Donovan hit the extra point for a 7-7 score with 3:24 remaining in the opening quarter.
After an exchange of punts, the Trojans were threatening again with a drive inside the Coffeeville 10 yard line, but penalties forced the Trojans back and a 28-yard field goal attempt by Donovan missed.
The Bruce defense held and the Trojans quickly marched deep into Pirate territory again to open the second quarter, but the drive ended when Armstrong was intercepted in the end zone.
After another Pirate punt, the Trojans again drove inside the Coffeeville 10-yard line, but penalties and a bad shotgun snap forced them into trying another field goal attempt which again missed.
The Pirates strung together a few first downs on the final drive of the half, but the possession ended with a Jadarius Benson interception.
Bruce would take its first lead int he game when Armstrong hit D.J. Glaspie with a 25-yard touchdown pass with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point missed for a 13-7 score.
The lead was short-lived. Bobby Townsend returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a Pirate touchdown tying the game at 13. The extra point missed.
Bruce recaptured the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when Armstrong hit Johnson with a 31-yard touchdown pass. The extra point missed for a 19-13 score.
The Pirates would immediately answer on their next offensive play with a 77-yard touchdown pass. The extra point missed for a 19-19 score.
Bruce would twice penetrate deep into Pirate territory in the fourth quarter, but both times come away with no points. One possession resulted in a punt after the Trojans were pushed back 20 yards due to penalties. The other ended in a missed field goal.
Bruce had the ball first to open overtime and scored on their first play. D.J. Glaspie took a toss sweep around the right end for the 10-yard touchdown. Donovan’s extra point split the uprights for a 26-19 lead.
The Trojan defense pushed the Pirates backwards on their possession. Back-to-back runs up the middle lost a yard and then three Trojans combined on a sack for a 15-yard loss on third down. The Pirates desperation pass on fourth down fell incomplete.
The Trojans, 3-0, will host unbeaten Water Valley next Friday.
