Pioneers lose 62-20 to TCA on the road
By Lori Cathey
The Gibson County Pioneers lost 62-20 on the road in a district match up with Trinity Christian Academy of Jackson.
The Pioneers started the game off by receiving the ball at the 20-yard line. The Pioneers quickly picked up a first down off a run by Ozzy Rico and a catch from Caden Wylie to the 32-yard line. But three plays later the Lions defense forced the Pioneers to punt.
The Lions scored back-to-back touchdowns with Pioneer Matthew Watson blocking an extra point kick to make it 13-0 Trinity Christian Academy.
TCA extended its lead to 20-0 on a 20-yard pass for a touchdown with 5:08 left in the first quarter.
On the Pioneers’ next possession, Rico had a three-yard run and wide receiver Donte Holder made a nine-yard catch for a first down. Gibson County quarterback Will Cantrell completed a 70-yard pass down the right sideline to Austin Little for a touchdown. Pioneer kicker Henry Todd’s extra point was good to make it 20-7 TCA with 3:33 left in the quarter.
The Lions broke away during the second quarter scoring 21 points on a 56-yard pass, a four-yard run and a 38-yard pass for touchdowns.
The Pioneers score a touchdown in the quarter on an 81-yard drive with Cantrell connecting with Wylie for a 75-yard touchdown and Todd kicking the extra point.
TCA took a 41-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Gibson County suffered several injuries to starters in the first half, forcing them out of the game.
The Gibson County defense came out from halftime and forced the Lions to punt on their opening drive of the third quarter. The Pioneers on then capped a five-play, 90-yard drive on a reverse with Wylie completing a 77-yard pass down the right sideline to Cantrell for a touchdown, but the Lions blocked Todd’s extra point kick to make the score 41-20.
The Lions would score two more times in the quarter on a 35-yard pass and 16-yard run to extent their lead to 55-20.
In the fourth quarter, the Pioneer offense had some good drives but could not score. Gibson County held the Lions to one touchdown in the quarter for a 62-20 game final.
Gibson County had a total of 353 yards with 307 passing yards and 88 rushing. Gibson County had 20 first downs and was penalized six times for 45 yards.
TCA had a total of 485 yards with 311 rushing and 174 passing yards. TCA had 30 first downs and was penalized eight times for 95 yards.
Sophomore Will Cantrell was named the Pioneer Player of the Week. He is a sophomore quarterback and defensive back. He had one reception for 77 yards for a touchdown, two kickoff returns for 54 yards and nine carries for 11 yards. He also completed 10 of 19 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading GC in offense was Caden Wylie with four receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, and he completed two of two passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Ozzy Rico had 12 carries for 76 yards and kickoff return for 21 yards. Austin Little had two receptions for 72 yards, Donte Holder two receptions for 26 yards, and Camron McMackin three receptions for 11 yards. Colin Warren had two kickoff returns for 45 yards. Pioneers kicker Henry Todd had four kickoffs for 115 yards, three punts for 110 yards and was two of three on extra points.
Defensively Kaleb Johnson had eight tackles; DeAndre Snow seven; Jake Patterson six; Austin Little four; Colin Warren four; Matthew Watson three tackles with a blocked extra point; and Noah Stafford three tackles.
Next, Gibson County has an open week before hosting McKenzie on Friday, Oct. 27, on Senior Night for the last game of the 2017 season.
