The Trojans have won six straight games in district, giving up just nine points per game. Only two 16-2A opponents have finished with double-digit point totals.
Troy (7-2 overall, 6-0 in 16-2A) faces McGregor, one of the district’s most explosive offenses, on Senior Night at 7:30 p.m. today at Trojan Stadium.
A win gives Troy, which clinched at least a share of its first title in 10 years last week, the outright district title. A win by the Bulldogs (7-2, 5-1) gives McGregor a piece of its second straight district crown.
Even with the outright title within reach, the Trojans say they’re simply focused on doing what it takes to get the win.
“We’re taking one step, one game at a time,” Troy coach Grady Rowe said. “The kids have done a good job of that this year. We’re not looking ahead to the playoffs.”
A big reason for the Trojans’ district success is a defense that ranks second in the area, allowing 201 yards per game.
Troy’s defense is led by Justin Gregory, Angel Lurati and Ryan Dach at linebacker, Bryson Jones along the line and Mitchell Beck and Derrick Vasta in the secondary.
“We’ve got to be good, solid tacklers,” Rowe said. “They’re going to bust a couple. We’ve got to limit the number of big plays.”
McGregor’s offense is fueled by quarterback Larry Smith, who accounted for four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ win last week.
Smith, who averages nearly 10 yards per carry, has thrown for 716 yards and accounted for 19 touchdowns. Running back Deshun Pierson has 11 touchdowns and 729 yards on 86 tries.
“I think (Smith) is a big key,” Rowe said. “Their line is good and (Smith) has got all kinds of receivers. They’ve got a lot of weapons.”
Troy has a dangerous offense of its own. The Trojans have led at the half of their six district games by an average of 21 points thanks to strong running by seniors Vasta and Jeremy Conrad, along with sophomore Cyrus McKenzie. Those three average around 10 yards per carry.
“That’s going to be a key this week, controlling the clock,” Rowe said.
Academy can clinch playoff spot by beating Florence
LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY - It’s been a strange road to get to this point, but if Academy can snap its three-game losing streak tonight, the Bumblebees are headed for the playoffs.
Academy (6-3 overall, 2-3 District 25-2A) hosts Florence (1-8, 0-5) on Senior Night at 7:30 p.m. at John Glover Stadium, needing a win to secure 25-2A’s second seed in the Division II playoffs.
“At the start of the season, you hope you’re in this position,” Bees coach Royce McAdams said. “We hope to get into the playoffs.”
The Bees reeled off six straight wins to start the season before consecutive losses to Lago Vista, Salado and Rogers. Both Salado and Rogers have clinched playoff spots.
What’s made the Bees successful is their passing attack and quarterback Chase Gommert, who’s thrown for 1,630 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tight end Chase Reeders, who has a team-high 33 catches for 554 yards, and receiver Noah Hamill (21-402) are Gommert’s top targets.
Gommert and Hamill connected twice in last week’s loss, and running back Layton Willis had a 42-yard score for his seventh touchdown.
On defense, the Bees have had trouble stopping the run in their three losses, but they’ve kept themselves in games by forcing 27 turnovers.
“We’d like to have a lot of effort,” McAdams said. “I really believe if we have a great game, we’ll be successful.”
McAdams cautioned that this game won’t be as easy as the Buffaloes’ one-win record might indicate, though Florence hasn’t helped its reputation with three shutout losses in district.
“They’re better than people give them credit for,” he said. “We can’t give them too many opportunities."
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
