VICKSBURG — After a strong start, Porters Chapel Academy fell behind the athletic offense of Trinity Episcopal and could not recover. The Saints overcame an early seven-point deficit and rolled over PCA, 54-14 on Friday night.
“We needed that (win) so bad,” Trinity head coach Graham Roberts said. “We played such a tough pre-district schedule, and our guys were very focused on the way over.”
The Eagles held a brief lead for about six minutes in the first quarter but were unable to hold on in part because of injuries and a lack of depth.
The Eagles scored again with six minutes left in the second quarter when freshman Josh Smith recovered a fumble and returned it 50 yards to the end zone.
“As depleted as we are, to have some success and to get that. It’s a process and they’re sticking with it. We’ve just got to keep moving ahead and hope to get some guys healthy and give us a chance down the stretch,” Purvis said.
The PCA defense was able to notch four sacks on the night, but more often than not, the Trinity players were able to scramble out of tough situations and gain major yardage on running plays.
“We had a hard time containing him (senior quarterback and wide receiver Kevontaye Caston), but we played hard,” junior Glenn Alan Kittrell said.
The Saints struck first just 30 seconds and two plays into the game with a 57-yard passing touchdown by Caston. The extra point was blocked by Kittrell, allowing PCA to gain the lead.
The Eagles, helped by two penalties, scored on their first drive. Sophomore Wade Dickard took it in with a 4-yard a touchdown run with 7 minutes left in the quarter, and Jagger Weekly added the extra point to make it 7-6.
The Saints scored again on their third possession of the night, on a one-play drive. Caston caught a 30-yard pass from Sterling Yarbrough with a minute and a half left in the first quarter. On this and every other touchdown of the night, the Saints went for the 2-point conversion. They made 2-of-7.
This score gave the Trinity the lead and it never looked back.
“(Balance) was kind of the game plan,” Roberts said. “I’ve known we need to have balance to be successful and put the ball in the play-makers’ hands.”
Sophomore David Jackson had an 18-yard touchdown, Caston ran 25 yards for a score, and senior David Jackson ran 59 yards for another touchdown with two minutes left in the half to make it 32-14.
In the third quarter, Fleming scored on a 10-yard, Jackson caught a 30-yard pass ,and sophomore Jarrod Simpson caught a 31-yard touchdown pass for the final score of the night with three minutes left in the third.
Trinity (2-2, 1-0) will host its first home game next week against district opponent Amite School Center.