By Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
The Hamilton High School Trojans were hoping to send the Seniors on the football team out with a win over the Tigers of Union County High School, on Friday, Oct. 2. In spite of a great effort on the part of the Trojans, it would be the Tigers who would come out on top of the 42-34 score. The defeat dropped the Trojans to a 1-3 overall record.
The scoring began with a mishandled snap on a punt by the Trojans' special teams. The Tigers recovered the ball in the end zone and the score was 7-0. Each team scored one more touchdown in the opening quarter and the score was 14-7, in favor of the Tigers, at the end of the first quarter. There were a total of 46 points scored in the second quarter as the Tigers extended their lead to 40-27 going into halftime. The second half proved to be a defensive struggle, with points hard to come by for both teams. The Tigers' defense scored a safety and the Trojans managed to cut into the Tigers' lead in the fourth quarter. In the end, the Tigers would win the contest, 42-34.
Denandre Johnson went five-for-nine passing for the Trojans with 138 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tyler Whetstone had 87 yards on the ground on 20 carries, for a 4.4 yards per carry average and one rushing touchdown. Johnson's favorite target was Jeremiah Gibson, who caught four passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
The next game for the Trojans (1-3) will be on the road in Newberry, against the Panthers of Newberry High School. The Panthers (4-1) are coming off a 26-24 win over the Red Devils of Williston High School. The game takes place on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m.