NTL FOOTBALL: TROY EDGES DOVER IN GUTSY DEFENSIVE EFFORT (2024-09-01)
Northern Tier Sports ReportWILMINGTON, DE — Troy played one of their best defensive games in program history as they defeated Dover 8-3 in non-league football action Saturday.
The win comes against the fourth ranked team in the state of Delaware in their largest classification as Troy bent but didn’t break, while getting the one big play necessary to pull off the win.
“We were just really happy to represent Troy, our little small town, and we’re happy to represent PA, so I think we did that,” said Joseph Frye.
Troy coach Jimmy Smith knew his team was up against it when it came to the bigger school.
“They have lots of kids, they can sub,” he remarked. “Tremendous speed - I’ve been doing this 15 years and I haven’t seen speed like that - they hit hard, they were responsible with their assignments, they had a tremendous defense. We made just enough plays, and I’m really proud of the kids.”
As with all nail biters special teams came into play. Dover struggled with the punt snap - one of which led to the safety - while Troy was able to control field position most of the night thanks to the leg of Lincoln Chimics.
“I know I didn’t have a lot of field to work with when I was punting, so I just aimed for the pylon and hope for the best,” remarked Chimics.
The key to Troy’s defense was their strong tackling, something Smith was working to shore up coming into the game.
“Our week one scrimmage with Jersey Shore was one where we missed a lot of tackles,” Smith said. “We weren’t good last week, either, even in a big win, and we worked hard on breaking down and getting to the ball and gang tackling. I was a little worried about that tonight, but we brought it together.”
Mason Smith, who had the game deciding touchdown run, finished with five carries for 73 yards and a score. It was his 52-yard scamper to the end zone that was the difference.
Brendan Gilliland added 14 touches for 45 yards while Evan Woodward (five carries, 17 yards) and Kael Millard (six carries, 17 yards) also chipped in.
Woodward was just 2-for-10 throwing the ball for 32 yards with Chimics getting a 31-yard reception.
Shameek Morris led Dover with 15 carries for 110 yards while NohaRidge Eliazard added 53 yards on seven carries. They had two different quarterbacks under center with Cameron Wagner going 6-for-13 for 36 yards and a pick in relief of Julian Christmas, who was 1-for-10 for nine yards.
Terrance Williams had three catches for 29 yards to lead the Dover receiving corp.
“It was not what I expected,” Smith said. “I thought we would have more success on offense, and would have bigger struggles defensively, and it was the opposite. Our defense was the unit that kept us in the game, made play after play after play, and we made just enough plays on offense to get things done. We had them pinned deep the whole first half, and they’re explosive with tremendous big powerful athletes, and I can’t say enough about our kids’ performance tonight.”
Troy got the opening kick-off and a but fumble at midfield set up Dover with good field position. They got a big play down inside the Troy red zone, but the Trojans held, forcing them into a Kole Turner 24-yard field goal that split the uprights to put the Senators up 3-0 less than four minutes into the game.
After that it became a battle of field position until the second quarter when a high snap on a Dover punt went out the back of the end zone for a safety, making it 3-2 with 5:07 left in the half.
The low scoring baseball game got a bit of a jolt later in the half when Smith ran 52-yards to pay dirt for the 8-3 lead with 1:35 left in the second.
Troy also had other opportunities - missing one field goal, and having a bad snap on the other - while Dover was hampered with drive killing penalties.
Late in the fourth they had one chance left to take the lead, but Frye ended it with a pick in the end zone.
“Really, it was just sticking with my man, trying to stay as close as I could,” explained Frye. “I saw the quarterback throw it up, I just had to go up and make a play for my team.”
Troy (2-0) now have plenty of momentum at their backs as they return to Alparon Park on Friday to face the District IV, Class A defending champions in South Williamsport (1-1), who are coming off a tough home loss to Canton.
“It’s important that we don’t have a let down, like we have to bring it,” Smith said. “This is a program that is headed by one of the best coaches in the state in Chris Eiswerth, and he’s going to have his kids prepared for us.”
TROY 8, DOVER 3
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
D: Kole Turner 24-yard field, 8:06
Second Quarter
T: Safety, 5:07
T: Mason Smith 52-yard run (conversion failed), 1:35
Individual Stats
Troy
Rushing
Brendan Gilliland 14-45, Mason Smith 5-73-1, Kael Millard 6-17, Evan Woodward 5-17, Reed Palmer 1-0, Jayden Kutt 1-2, Charles Oldroyd 1-2, JB Burbage 1-2
Passing
Evan Woodward 2-10-32-0-0, Mason Smith 0-1-0-0-0
Receiving
Lincoln Chimics 1-31, Brendan Gilliland 1-1
Dover
Rushing
Shameek Morris 15-110, NohaRidge Eliazard 7-53, Cameron Wagner 3-3, Julian Christman 3-2, NeHemiah Coston 2-(-4), Elijah Bowers 1-3, Jaheim Cole 1-5, Jayden Bunch 1-0
Passing
Cameron Wagner 6-13-36-0-1, Julian Christman 1-10-9-0-0
Receiving
Terrance Williams 3-29, NeHemiah Coston 2-10, Marc Patterson 1-11, Jaheim Cole 1-6
Team Stats Troy Dover
Rushes/Yards 34/158 33/172
Passing Yards 32 45
Interceptions: Troy (Joseph Frye)
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PHOTOS PROVIDED
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