Bi-district games end in mixed results for area teams

The Guard routs Legacy

In the first round of TAPPS Division II playoffs, the Brook Hill Guard soundly defeated Legacy Christian Academy, 48-15.

Garrett Esposito completed 12 of 17 pass attempts, hitting receivers for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

Receiver Seth Moss caught three passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns, from 25 and 33 yards respectively.

Jaylon Caldwell also recorded two touchdown receptions for 43- and 13-yards, adding another 33 yards on a third reception.

Carson Richards added 67 yards on four catches.

The single rushing touchdown was earned by Jake Shaffer, crossing the goal line from 20 yards out.

He recorded a total of 54 yards on 11 carries. Fisher Bass recorded 47 yards on two runs.

Nick Larocca posted 21 yards on two totes and Moss added 17 yards on two carries.

Nico Flores lead the defense with 12 tackles, including two for losses, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Bass posted seven tackles and a fumble recovery. LaRocca added four tackles and recorded a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Shaffer added three tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

The Area win over Legacy Christian advances Brook Hill (8-3) to the Regional playoff.

The Guard will face Cedar Hill Trinity Christian (10-1) beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Bruce Field, 480 Royal St., Athens.

Should Brook Hill prove victorious, the Guard will move into the State Semifinals against the winner of the Grapevine Faith (9-1) versus Dallas Christian (10-1) match.

BHS season ends on heartbreaking overtime loss

The Bullard Panthers lost their 4A Division 2 Bi-District bid to the Mexia Black Cats by a single point in overtime, 34-35.

Mexia scored first on a 30-yard run and good extra-point kick, taking a 7-0 lead. Bullard evened the score on a five-yard run by Tristen Shewmake and PAT by Ivan Ruiz.

The Panthers allowed Mexia to score again resulting in the Panthers trailing 7-14 at the end of the first period.

The second quarter, however, belonged to Bullard. Shewmake scored on 2- and 5-yard runs and Ruiz was successful with both point-after kicks.

The 14 additional points gave the Panthers a 21-14 halftime lead.

The only third quarter score came on a Shewmake connection to Jaxson Elliott for an eight-yard touchdown.

Once again Ruiz’ kick was true, increasing the margin to 28-14.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, Mexia scored twice in the final frame to tie the game at 28, taking them into an overtime period.

Mexia crossed the goal line first on a 14-yard run. Their kicker put the ball between the uprights to give the Black Cats a 35-28 lead. A nine-yard pass from Shewmake to Nicolas Hooley earned a touchdown, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, giving the victory to Mexia.

Shewmake completed nine of 22 passing attempts for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

He garnered 172 yards on 30 carries. Bryson Luscombe gained 44 yards on 11 runs and added 50 yards on five catch and carries.

Hooley added 36 yards on three aerials and Elliott posted eight yards on a single reception.

Individual All-District honors have been awarded to several Panthers for the season.

Utility Player went to Bryce Jewell.

Those named to the 1st Team, Defense, were Latrez Young, DE; Caden Key ILB; Cooper Callaway, OLB; Nic Hooley, Corner; and Jaxson Elliott, Safety.

Players named 2nd Team, Defense, were Kain Williams, NG; Tanner Fowler, DT; Riley Long, CB; and Connor Carson, Safety.

Offensive 1st Team honors went to Tristen Shewmake, QB; Latrez Young, FB; Nic Hooley, WR; and Tanner Fowler, G.

Named to 2nd Team, Offense, were Bryson Luscombe, RB; Kade Verden, G; Blake Morse, C; and Conor Carson, WR.

Those receiving Honorable Mention included Alex Evans, OL; Jaxson Elliot, REC; Peyton Ellis, OL; John Engle ILB; Christian Johnson, OLB; and Martavian Allen, Corner.

Tigers beat the Tigers, proceed to Area play

The Troup Tigers proved themselves to be the dominant Tigers when they handily defeated Leonard, 42-22, in the 3A Division 2 bi-district match.

Daniel Leon, who was named Special Teams Player of the Game, averaged 35 yards per punt.

Max Hale and Jovany Zavala shared the Defensive Player of the Game honor.

Hale recorded 20 tackles, including one for a loss, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery.

Zavala posted 12 tackles, including four for losses, one interception and one pass deflection.

Offensive Player of the Game was also a shared honor awarded to Desmon Deason and Calob Smith. Deason had four rushes that garnered 37 yards and two touchdowns and a 43-yard touchdown reception. On 18 runs, Smith gained 70 yards and a touchdown.

Jordan Elliott hit receivers five times out of 13 attempts for 127 yards and three touchdowns.

Brayden Vess received two tosses for 67 yards and a touchdown. Jaden Lewis also caught two aerials, adding 27 yards and a touchdown.

Rushing accounted for 151 offensive yards. Smith ran the ball 18 times for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Elliott toted the ball 10 times to add 46 yards. Deason carried the ball four times for 37 yards and Elliott garnered 46 yards on 10 carries.

Kaden Mahoney recorded 11 tackles, one for a loss. Parker Calltharp posted six stops, including one for a loss, and a sack. JJ Gossett put in eight tackles and Nate Picket Pin had seven tackles, two for losses, and a sack.

The Troup Tigers (7-4) are set to play the Newton Eagles (10-1) in the Area playoff beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Jacksonville’s Tomato Bowl.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with tickets costing $7 per adult and $5 per student.

Passes accepted include THSCA, District 10 Football, District 12 Football, Senior Citizen Passes and Military Passes.