WEST POINT — One of the games of the year played out at McCallister Field on Thursday, pitting two area rivals against each other with a district title on the line.
In a game that felt like a playoff matchup, West Point came out on top 14-7 against a resurgent Trojan team, controlling the clock and winning in the trenches to close out an undefeated district championship.
The Green Wave defense came up big, as they have done several times this season, forcing two interceptions and keeping the Trojans off of the scoreboard for the entire second half. Shamarrion McKinney got the first pick and Jamichael Forest snagged the second one in the end zone in the final minutes.
“He’s had huge picks, and that’s a big-time play right there,” West Point head coach Brett Morgan said. “That was baller, I can’t say enough about him and the effort that he’s giving us right now.”
It was the fifth game in a row – and seventh time this season – that West Point allowed two or fewer scores. With a number of injuries on offense, the defense has been a rock for the team as they figure out how to keep moving. Morgan expressed his gratitude again for the work from his players and staff on that side of the ball.
“We’re leaning on (the defense), and we’re going to need to get them crutches as hard as we’re leaning on them, but they keep fighting and that’s what they want. We’ve got eight starters back from last year, they’ve been in the fire and they play for four quarters. Our staff does a great job preparing them for that and I can’t say enough about them.”
For the Trojans (8-2), the loss will sting, but it was a battle they expected and showed up prepared for. The offense was able to move the ball and freshman quarterback Tyrekus Brooks once again provided a touchdown on the ground, but they came up short on three key drives against a stout defensive unit.
“I told them, you came in here and fought a 12-time state champion down to the wire,” Glenn said after leaving the post-game huddle. “Great job by West Point, they had a great gameplan, but I thought our kids fought hard tonight. Defensively we played lights out, offensively we squandered a few opportunities. We got down to the 1 and didn’t score, had a couple of turnovers that killed drives, but all in all our kids fought. Now the real season starts at home next week.”
This was a big test for both teams ahead of the first round of the playoffs next week. Both teams were already set to host, but should the two teams meet again the Green Wave will once again have home field advantage. As for next week, the Thursday night battle was as good of preparation as either coach could ask for.
“Playing them at the end of the year really gets you revved up for playoff competition as well,” Morgan said of the regular season finale. “It’s a different level, it’s Golden Triangle football, it’s good stuff.”
“You want to play really good football teams, and obviously West Point is one,” Glenn said. “I just wish we could’ve been on the winning end of it. You want that going into November when it matters. I’m excited about the opportunity next week, we’ve got to put this one behind us and get ready to play.”
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