The Troup Tigers unleashed a powerful offensive game against Quitman on their way to a 55-7 homecoming dismantling of the Bulldogs.

Troup used a balanced offense mixing a tough running game with a prolific passing game to take a 42-7 lead into the dressing room at the half. For the game, the Tigers rushed for over 200 yards and quarterback Weslee Ross connected on 12 of 16 passing attempts for 110 yards and two scores, both to Bryce Attaway. Troup also ran back two interceptions for scores during the game. Trent Allen rushed for 116 yards and two scores for the Tigers.

The Bulldogs were without the services of senior quarterback and Captain Josh Medlin, who suffered what looks like a season-ending concussion in the Grand Saline game. Two-way starter Ty Holland is also out with a collar-bone injury.

The game started well for Quitman. On the opening kick-off Troup’s Eddy Rojo booted the ball out of the end zone so the Bulldogs started on their own 25 yard line. Trey Berry took over the signal calling chores and on the game’s first play tossed a 10-yard completion to Dylan Coe who made a great catch. Another short completion to Coe gained three more yards and set up a second and seven on the 37.

On the next play, Rylie Flanagan got behind the Troup defense and Berry laid a perfectly thrown pass to the lanky wide receiver who took it in for a touchdown. But it wouldn’t stand because the Bulldogs were called for an infraction and the ball was brought back. The Bulldogs ended up having to punt and freshman Mason Reynolds got off kick for 35 yards.

Quitman would not score until the end of the first half on a run by Berry with just over two minutes left before intermission and the Bulldogs already down 35-0.

After the Berry score made it 35-7, the Tigers took the ball and marched to the Quitman 34 yard line where they took it in on a run by Trent Allen to give Troup the 42-7 lead at the half.

On the bright side, Coach Bryan Oakes found a tough running back in Eliseo Turcois who pounded between the tackles for good yardage. Oakes also used junior varsity players brought up for the game on special teams, defense and some offense in the final minutes. Gavin Oakes and Reynolds each did a good job in the defensive backfield for most of the second half.

Seniors David Tarno and Justin Blalock played well on both sides of the ball, but the Bulldogs were no match for the Troup offensive machine. The Tiger defense also was consistently making big plays stopping the Bulldog offense from any success.

“We must keep our heads up and keep working hard during the week. It certainly does not get any easier in this district especially with us having to go to Harmony this week,” Oakes said. “Yes, we have injuries, so we need somebody to step up and make plays. We still have four games to go and we will continue to work hard and have success.”

The Bulldogs take on a Harmony team who has lost only to West Rusk by a 28-24 score. Harmony has run past three district opponents while averaging over 45 points a game and stand 3-0 in district play.