By Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
Friday, Sept. 18 will certainly go down as a special day for Hamilton County High School (HCHS) Head Coach Kirkland Mitchell. On that date, Coach Mitchell chalked up his first victory as the head coach of his high school Alma Mater. The Trojans fought hard to come out with a 28-21 victory over the Gators of Wewahitchka High School.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Trojans came alive with an electrifying 70-yard run by Tyler Whetstone early in the second quarter. After a successful point-after-touchdown (PAT), the score was 7-0 in favor of the Trojans with nine minutes remaining in the second quarter. The Trojans were not finished because moments later Trojan quarterback Deandre Johnson hit Jeremiah Gibson for a 50-yard touchdown pass. After Julian Garcia booted another PAT through the uprights, the Trojans were ahead 14-0. That score remained until intermission.
After the Gators took possession from the Trojans early in the third quarter, the Gators got on the scoreboard with a touchdown pass and a PAT with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Trojans responded quickly with a 45-yard touchdown run by Kejuan Robinson. After another good PAT, the score was 21-7 as the third quarter came to an end.
Early in the final quarter, the Gators struck again with a short rushing touchdown. The PAT failed and the Trojans held onto a 21-13 edge. That changed on the ensuing kickoff, when Gibson took the ball 75 yards to pay-dirt for another Trojan touchdown. After another PAT split the uprights, the score was 28-13. The Gators managed to make the game interesting again when they scored another touchdown late in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion brought the Gators to within a touchdown of the Trojans, but the home team held on for the first victory of the Coach Mitchell era.
The Trojans chalked up 177 yards on the ground led by Robinson, who was good for 81 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. The Offensive Player of the Game was Tony Boykins. Defensively, the Trojans forced five turnovers and 10 tackles for loss. Tyler Whetstone was named the Defensive Player of the Game. Gibson was named the Special Teams Player of the Game.
Next the Trojans (1-1) will go on the road to face the Red Devils of Williston High School on Friday, Sept. 25. The Red Devils (1-2) are coming off a 40-18 loss to Dixie County High School. Williston High School is located at 427 W. Noble Ave., in Williston. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.