By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Most attending the Montgomery Bell Academy Big Red vs. Millington Trojan Football game Friday night were expecting to see a Millington Homecoming queen crowned.
And that would be just about all the good news as for the Trojans. Most were fearful of the Big Red’s arrival to Flag City because of its solid record in 2014, history of dominance and last year’s 38-0 win over Millington.
But the 2014 Trojans quickly showed their fans and the Big Red they came to play tying the game at 7-7 and 14-14 in the first half. The score was 21-20 in the third quarter in favor of MBA.
Then the Big Red used their endurance to pull away late to prevail 42-20 over the Trojans. The outcome was the first defeat for Millington in 2014.
MBA (5-1) jumped out 7-0 in the first quarter when quarterback Cole Euverard ran into the end zone from 2 yards out. The Big Red used its running game to set up the QB sneak at the 9-minute, 46-second mark.
The Trojans (5-1) had a quick answer using the pass to drive the ball down the field. With 7 minutes and 31 second left in the opening quarter, Trojan quarterback Eldon Tyms hit receiver Artavious Thomas for a 35-yard touchdown pass to make the score 7-7.
The Big Red regained the advantage before the first quarter concluded when Euverard located running back Michael Lacey with a short pass for the 15-yard TD.
But the scoring wasn’t done yet in the first quarter. Trojan running back D’Monte Kemp exploded for a big gain on fourth down and 2 yards to go to the 20 yard line. A few plays later Tyms ran the ball into the end zone from 14-yard out as the horned sounded to tie the game at 14-14.
The only score of the second quarter was a Euverard to Jordan Wilson TD pass to make the tally 21-14 at the break.
With good feelings in the air, the Millington sideline cheered for senior Ashlee Bone as she was crowned queen.
The excitement picked up even more when the Trojans scored in the third quarter with 7 minutes and 47 second left. Tyms hit senior wide out Demarius Curry on a slant route. Curry used his speed to get to the goal line. But Millington missed the extra point and the score was 21-20.
Despite solid defensive effort from Trojans like Jonathan Clements, Patrick Macon, Claude Johnson, Paul Robinson, Dante Pitts, William Woodard, Thomas Daniels and Deadrick Payne in the box, MBA used its running game to wear down the Trojans.
The Big Red got score from Ty Chandler late in the third quarter to make the score 28-20. MBA added two more scores late to make the score 42-20.
Millington will try to bounce back this up coming Friday against Kingsbury traveling to Melrose Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
