photo by Marcus Frazier

Senior wide receiver Wells Middleton tackles a Tri-County player in Thursday’s 37-0 win.

Trinity romps over Tri-County

Krysten Oliphant

Published Friday, September 12, 2008

NATCHEZ — Trinity coach David King is finally pleased with his football team — almost.

In a convincing 37-0 win against MPSA District 2-AA Tri-County Academy (1-3), King said he saw a lot of improvement in the Saints from their 34-12 win over Huntington last Saturday.

“Well I thought we played a very good first half,” King said. “It was a game where we got up early and were able to make some big plays on the offensive side.”

The Saints (4-0) scored 23 points in the first quarter, starting just minutes into the game when sophomore quarterback Givonni Dent threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to senior Jackson Bryant. Sophomore Chase Patrick’s kick was good to give Trinity the early and permanent lead.

But apparently Tri-County wanted to give them more. On their first drive of the game, the Rebels’ high snap on the punt missed Colton Schmidt’s hands, and he recovered it and kicked it into the end zone for a safety, settling for 2 points over giving away good field position.

The Saints scored again with just over six minutes left in the first quarter, as sophomore running back Kent King carried the ball 35 yards to the end zone. Junior Chas Moroney’s extra-point was good for a 16-0 lead.

Yet that still was not enough. Trinity’s star running back, junior R.J. Fleming ran the ball in 56 yards on the first play of the Saints’ next drive, at 3:23, and Morony’s kick totaled the score at 23-0.

Trinity scored again with 3:18 left in the half as Dent threw a long ball 43 yards to senior receiver Wells Middleton into the end zone.

“He’s got some great receivers, and he’s learning every day to be a better quarterback,” Coach King said of Dent. “He’s strong, and he’s got a world of potential.”

Fleming scored with just under a minute left in the first half, catching a punt and returning it 32 yards for the score.

“He’s a good player and he’s got some good players around him, so he doesn’t have to be the main focal point,” Coach King said of his running back. “They have to guard other players, so he’s able to make some great plays.”

Fleming had 137 yards rushing on six carries, including the punt return, although he did not even step onto the field the second half.

Coach King chose to let other backs run the field, including Middleton and Kent King. Plus he did not want to risk an injury on a rainy, slippery night.

Kent King had four carries for 55 yards in the game, and Dent completed five passes for 103 yards and one interception.

Tri-County was held to just 52 yards rushing and 8 in the air on one pass, punting seven times.

Coach King praised the defense for its dominance over the Rebels, even though the Saints got a bit sloppy after halftime.

“I think that we’ve still got some things to muster up as far as putting in some other portions of our offense, but I think defensively we’re getting more physical and getting in better shape,” he said. “I think we’re getting closer to where we want to be.”

Trinity plays an MPSA District 3-AA game against Prairie View next Friday.