By Craig Brown
The Titans of the Trinity/Byrnes School of Darlington had two much size, power and experience for the Warriors of Dillon Christian School Friday night at Warrior Field as they downed the Warriors 49-14.
Even though the Warriors were blown out they managed 257 yards of offense which much improved on last week’s performance of only 81 yards.
The Titans had several top rated players on their team with some very likely playing at the next level but they have a future division one kicker in Hunter Benton.
Only a ninth grader, Benton kicked off eight times and sent all kicks into the end zone with three going out of the end zone in the air. He was a perfect 7 for 7 in extra-point kicks and had the Titans needed would have been just as deadly with a field goal.
If he continues to improve he will likely be booting 50 plus yard field goals by his senior year. The Titans are not a fancy offense and prefer to run the ball down the opponent’s throat up the middle. The old stop me if you can and sadly the Warriors could not do it very often.
On the Titan’s first offensive possession they marched the ball down field completing the drive with Jordan Jones crossing the goal line on a 15 yard run. Benton’s kick put the Titans up 7-0 with 8:09 left in the first quarter.
On their next drive Titan quarterback Reggion Bennett hit Sam Smith with a 24 yard touchdown pass. Benton’s kick upped the Titan lead 14-0 with 3:14 left in the first quarter with the quarter ending with this score.
The Titans began the second quarter on the Warrior ten yard line and on the second play of the quarter Bennett ran it in from six yards out. Benton’s kick put the Titans out front 21-0 with 11:11 left in the second quarter.
On the Warriors first possession of the third quarter, Warrior quarterback Trent Johnson finished the drive with a 19 yard touchdown run. Gage Bazemore’s point after kick closed the Titan led to 21-7 with 5:28 left in the second quarter. The Titans answered with a quick drive the ended with Bennett running it in from 14 yards out. Benton’s kick put the score, Titans 28 Warriors 7 with 3:21 left in the second quarter.
With 14 seconds left in the second quarter, Titan running back Shamar Byrd bulled his way in from two yards out for the TD. Benton’s kick gave the Titans a 35-7 halftime lead. The clock was run without stoppage in the second half to hold down the scoring.
With 5:23 left in the third quarter, Titan running back Brandon Scott scored on a 24 yard touchdown run.
Benton’s kick put the Titans uo 42-7. As time ran out in the third quarter, Warrior quarterback Trent Johnson hit Austin Heasley with a 22-yard touchdown pass.
Bazemore’s kick was true and the Warriors trailed 42-14 as the quarter ended with this score. Reserve Titan running back Tracey Jackson scored the seventh and final touchdown for the Titans on a 32 yard run. Benton added the final point of the game to give the Titans the 49-14 non-region win.
On offense for the Warriors, Trent Johnson was 5 of 10 passing for 41 yards and a touchdown and added 36 yards on four carries with a touchdown.
Gage Bazemore had 62 yards on five carries. Austin Heasley caught two passes for 45 yards and a touchdown, Ryan Stephens had 23 yards on two carries.
John Rourke had 22 yards on three carries. Koby King had 21 yards on four carries. Judson Wilson added six yards on a carry and Mason Bailey had plus yardage on a carry.
The Warrior long-snapper this year is Walt Bailey. and he is the best at this position the Warriors have had in several years.
On defense, Walt Bailey had five tackles, seven assists, John Rourke had five tackles, five assists, Jared Darmon had five tackles, three assists. Storm Sanderson had four tackles, five assists.
Barnes Causey and Gage Bazemore had four tackles with an assist each. Azeon Brown had three tackles, five assists. CJ McLaughlin had three tackles, three assists.Jared Ivey, Caleb Boykin and Jacob Dubose had three tackles, two assists each, Gabe Bissell had two tackles, three assists, Austin Heasley, Riley Coleman and Samuel Ervin added a tackle each with Heasley getting an interception, Collin Hamilton and Mason Bailey added two tackle assists each.
The Warriors are scheduled to be home Friday night to host The Kings Academy with game time set for 7:30.
Due to the possible landing of the hurricane, please check before heading out to the stadium as the game may be cancelled.

PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTOS BY CRAIG BROWN
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