Lee Trawick
reporter2@riverbendnews.org
The 2023 Hamilton County High School football season began with many questions and new faces. New Head Coach Chris Cook brought forth his Wing-T-type offense centered around timing and confusing the defense to dispel this uncertainty; it's an offense that shows off the speed of the Trojans' dynamic backfield.
The last time the Trojans won their season opener was in 2014 against the Fort White Indians; they finished that season with an overall record of 11-4. While the outcome is yet to be determined, they are off to the right start. With quarterback Brandon Atwood running the offense with a stable full of capable running backs, the Trojans have many weapons that can burn a defense on any play.
Having lost their preseason kickoff to the Jefferson County Tigers, 7-0, the Hamilton boys were eager to redeem themselves at home against the Tigers on Friday, Aug. 25. Trojan Nation did not have to wait long for their team to get on the scoreboard. Many fans were still purchasing their tickets to the game when the Trojans began leading 8-0 after Kyle Brown took the first snap of the game 50 yards for a touchdown. Brown followed that play with a two-point conversion to extend the lead; he would finish the night with 63 rushing yards.
I'Davious Speights rushed for more than 200 yards in the preseason game and did not let up in the season opener. He rushed for 218 yards on the ground, scoring two touchdowns on 22 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run up the middle. In each instance, his speed was on full display.
Brandon Atwood may not have rushed for as many yards, but he did rush for two touchdowns on four carries to secure the Trojans' win over the Tigers. Atwood also threw for 51 yards, completing two of three passes to keep the Tigers' defense on their heels all night.
Despite giving up on 20 points on defense, the Trojans' defense held the Tigers when needed and came up with several key turnovers, including an interception by Marvin Wallace and Enrique Rios. In addition, Rios led the team with six tackles on the night. Brown shined on the offensive end, recording three tackles for a loss, including the only sack of the game to help keep the Tigers behind the chains allnight.
Although the Tigers scored 20 points to the Trojans' 32, the game wasn't as close as the score may appear. The Trojans appeared to be in control throughout the game and never trailed. While they committed two turnovers, the score could have been much worse, as the Tigers had no answer for Speights and the Trojans' offense.
The Trojans are poised for a solid season with their new offensive scheme and the many speedsters in the backfield. Next, they will go up against the Suwannee Bulldogs at Paul Langford Stadium on Friday, Sept. 1, at 7:30 p.m.