Dragons Out Run Trojans, 33-6 Potosi’s Offense Stayed Home

The Trojans traveled to DeSoto to take on the Dragons on Friday, Oct. 23rd at their final regularly scheduled Varsity contest. Potosi made the trip without Head Coach Dylan Wyrick and Offensive Center Tucker Juliette, as both were quarantined from ‘virus exposure’.

Potosi didn’t have school last Friday. One of the Seniors on the sideline observed, “It doesn’t help us, not having a regular schedule day. Some guys got up at 7 and some probably got up at 10. We weren’t together and it shows. Plus missing Coach and Tuck.”

The Trojans offense wasn’t ever on track from the opening tick of the clock. Potosi kicked to DeSoto and the Trojan defense stopped the Dragons with an interception by #10 Blake Missey, putting Potosi on offense for the first time. The Trojans tried to run with little success and #36 Bryce Reed punted the ball away. DeSoto was deep in their own end and the Potosi defense was fired up, moving them backward. The Dragons had to punt from their own endzone. A bad punt and Potosi was on the DeSoto 14 yard line. Potosi was quick and over the goal line, in for a score. #5 Andrew Coleman, quarterback for Potosi, kept the football and was in for 6 points. #8 Blake ‘Booba’ Henson’s kick was wide and it was Potosi 6 and DeSoto 0.

The teams traded possessions and the first quarter was done.

The second quarter began with DeSoto on their own 49 yard line. The Dragons ran then threw a long pass down the home sideline and flags flew. Potosi was called for pass interference. DeSoto was going to capitalize on the mistake and was in the endzone with a good run by #7 Dominic Punjani and the extra point kick was good. The score was DeSoto 7 and Potosi 6.

The Trojans moved the football, but a fumble gave the ball back to the Dragons. Potosi had another pass interference call and DeSoto was moving. The Trojan defense stiffened up and the Dragons punted. Potosi’s #26 Wade Mercille picked up good yardage and got the ball out of the team’s own end. Potosi went to the air and the ball was intercepted. The Dragons returned the ball for a touchdown. The extra point was no good and it was DeSoto 13 and Potosi 6.

It was half time and Potosi headed to their buses, with no access to a locker room.

The Trojans got the ball to open the third quarter. Not much offense, and a punt. The Dragons didn’t do much either and the Trojans had possession again as time ran down in the third. With 2:25 left in the third, Potosi gave up another interception. DeSoto burned a little time and it was #7 Dominic Punjani in untouched for another Dragon touchdown. The extra point was good and the score read DeSoto 20 and Potosi 6.

The Trojans started deep in their own end for the fourth quarter. #36 Bryce Reed had to punt out of his own endzone for the Trojans. The Dragons again took advantage of the field position and it was another score. #7 for DeSoto again across the goal line. The extra point was no good and the score was DeSoto 26 and Potosi 6.

Half way through the fourth and Potosi was running on the ground, running the clock as well.  The Trojans were working their way deep into Dragon territory when a 4th and 1 drew a Potosi penalty. The Trojans gave the ball back to the Dragons. The Dragons had the length of the field in front of them with 2:32 left in the game. DeSoto ran and ran well. One last time it was #7 Punjani again to score for the Dragons. The extra point was good and it was 33 to 6 with DeSoto on top. Potosi got the ball with just a minute left and the clock ran down as the Trojans ran a couple of plays.

It was DeSoto’s night for sure, they played well on both sides of the football. Potosi never did get going and it was a long night for the purple and gold. There wasn’t anything about the evening that was ‘normal’ with tickets required to get in, two per player, masks to be worn and a cold damp night at the field. Missing the Coach and the guy who snaps the football had to changes things some. No excuses, the scoreboard tells the story.

This week the Trojans will host the Salem Tigers on Friday night, Oct. 30th for the first round of District Tournament play. Both teams set at 5-4 and it should be a good matchup. We’ll see who gets to play.

Go Trojans!