Mike Ridaught
Despite an 0-9 record in 2022, Trenton football coach Cameron Porch set the bar high for this season.
On Thursday night, the Tigers raised those expectations with a 28-0 win at Bell in a Gilchrist County showdown at The Boneyard.
“This is year one for us,” Porch said. “Last year was year zero. This is where it happens. We expect to win now. Kids have worked their butt off for nine months. We expect more than what we did tonight as far as execution goes, so a little bit of a bitter taste in our mouth still, but we’ll bounce back this week and execute better next week.”
Trenton had three touchdowns called back because of penalty but they would get the only points they needed on their second possession of the game.
The Tigers (1-0) were pinned deep on their first drive of the game and following a sack by senior Lucas Stapp of four yards, began their next play from their own 1-yard line.
Following a shanked punt two plays later, Bell took over at the Tigers’ 25-yard line.
However, seven plays into the ‘Dogs second possession, junior Isaac Johnson fumbled and Trenton sophomore Alex Henry recovered at the 14-yard line.
“Two weeks in a row that our kids have been pinned in our red zone and really responded with stops so hats off to the defense,” Porch said.
Trenton proceeded to march 86 yards on 13 plays, which consumed 7:51 off the clock.
The Tigers capped the scoring drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jackson Gentry to sophomore wide receiver J’dyen Manneh for a 7-0 lead with 7:37 to play in the first half.
It was the first of two scores between the pair, who also scored on a 24-yard pass play for a 21-0 lead with 18 seconds to play in the half.
“Two guys that really, from November on, had a great offseason and are just starting to peak,” Porch said. “If they can continue to grow through this season, it’s going to be fun to watch.”
Manneh scored Trenton’s second touchdown on a 19-yard run with 4:05 to play in the half.
His score was set up by another Bell fumble, which was recovered by senior Tavin Brown at the Bulldogs’ 27-yard line.
The Bulldogs (0-1) did put together a drive on their first possession of the second half, which began at their own 30-yard line. However, the drive stalled on an incomplete pass at the Tigers’ 14-yard line.
It was the first shutout for Trenton since a 47-0 win at home against Bell on Oct. 16, 2020.
“Defense played well, again some things to clean up, some silly mistakes, a little bit of selfishness, a couple of missed tackles,” Porch said. “If we’re going to hang with the big dogs, like we think we can, we’ve got to clean that stuff up.”
Trenton will travel to Dixie County (Cross City) next Friday, while Bell will host Wewahitchka.
Bell's Cole Rarey with a tackle on Trenton's Alex Norman in the Tigers' 28-0 road win on Thursday.
VOLLEYBALL
Williston 3, Chiefland 0 – Senior Grace Dola had 17 kills and nine digs as the Red Devils (1-1) bounced back from a 3-0 loss at home on Tuesday to Oak Hall School with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 sweep of the visiting Indians (2-1).
Morgan Geiger had six aces and 17 digs and Chanitey James added four kills for Williston, which will play Blountstown (10:30 a.m.) and Newberry (noon) in a tri-match tournament at Newberry on Saturday.
Chiefland will host Bell at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
GHS 3, The Rock 1 – The Hurricanes (1-0) won their season opener, rallying from a 1-0 deficit for a 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-19 win at The Rock.
USC commit Brooklyn Tealer led the team with 17 kills and a .469 hitting percentage, while Columbia Charlotte Gravlee led the team with 7 blocks. Meme Davis (Mercer) and Madison Howard each led with 13 digs apiece.
GHS will host two-time defending 4A state champion Santa Fe (Alachua) at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, while The Lions (1-1) will travel to Williston next Thursday.