The Whitewright Tigers suffered their first district loss of the season Friday night as a big second half powered Trenton to a 33-28 victory.
“Obviously, this game did not go the way we wanted,” Whitewright head coach Charlie Roten said. “But we fought hard all the way to the end, and I am very proud of that.”
Whitewright (3-2, 0-1 in District 9-2A Division I) took a 16-6 lead into halftime before Trenton stormed back to seize a 27-16 advantage in the third quarter.
The Tigers responded with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to regain the lead, 28-27, but Trenton scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining.
Whitewright had one final opportunity and was driving late in the game before a fumble recovered by Trenton ended the Tigers’ comeback bid.
Trenton flexed its defensive muscle for much of the evening, limiting Whitewright quarterback Peyton Smith to 2-of-10 passing for 29 yards. Smith also carried the ball 10 times for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Nick Ulmer had six carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, while Austin Baio carried the ball four times for 26 yards and a score. Xander Hall added a four-yard touchdown run.
Other top playmakers included Maddox Smart, who had four carries for 27 yards and one reception for 23 yards, and Drake Freeman, who carried the ball four times for a team-high 65 yards.
Trenton quarterback Nolan Yowell accounted for all five of his team’s touchdowns. He ran for four scores and threw for another as Trenton improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in district play.
Whitewright continues district play this week when the Rivercrest Rebels come to Tiger Stadium.
“We just have to move on and focus on the task at hand, and that is winning against Rivercrest,” Roten said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Whitewright.