By ED ROBINSON
NITRO — Princeton blasted the Nitro Wildcats 46-6 on the road Oct. 9. The victory marked the second consecutive win for Princeton, after they had dropped their first four games.
The 40-point victory margin was the Tigers’ largest since a 60-18 conquest over PikeView in August 2005.
The Nitro game marked the first contest in many games that Princeton achieved the following accomplishments:
• Rushed for more than 400 yards (425 yards);
• Averaged almost 10 yards per carry (9.9 yards per rush);
• Had two ball carriers eclipse the century rushing mark (Tevin Allen and Tre Hopkins);
• Held the opposition to less than 100 yards of total offense (78 yards).
Princeton had a host of players that performed very well offensively. Some of the noteworthy performances included:
• The offensive line, which was a concern of the coaching staff early in the season, completely dominated their opposition for the second consecutive game.
• Allen carried the ball for a season-high 182 yards on 16 carries. He scored on runs of
12 and 36 yards. His 55-yard gallop set up Princeton’s first score.
• Hopkins tallied on jaunts of 12 and 75 yards. He gained 101 yards on only four
carries.
• Jerrell “Quicksilver” Powell rambled to the end zone on a 25-yard run. Overall, he gained 51 yards on six rushes.
• Cameron Mallory bulled his way for 52 yards on nine attempts. He scored on a one-yard plunge.
• Christian Dalton scampered 45 yards on three carries.
The Tigers also had a number of players who performed admirably on defense. The defensive line sparked by Colt Karnes and Corey Quick held the Wildcat rushers in check. The linebacking trio of
Tanner Grose, John Barnett, and Mallory continued to perform at a high level. Dominique Antwi intercepted a pass. Jason Burgess was credited with a safety and sophomores Dustin Duggan and T. J. Lankford were impressive recording several stops.
The Tigers wasted little time in demonstrating dominance over the Wildcats. They took the opening kickoff and proceeded to score in four plays. The key plays were the 55-yard run by Allen and the 12-yard scoring run by Hopkins. Travis Tabor added the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 10:25 left in the first quarter.
On Princeton’s next possession, Tabor kicked a 23-yard field goal, his first of the season.
In the second quarter, Allen tallied on a 10-yard run. Tabor’s point-after touchdown boot was good extending Princeton’s lead to 17-0.
On Nitro’s last possession of the first half, they crossed midfield for the first time aided by a penalty on the Tigers. The Wildcats’ penetration stalled at the Tigers’ 38-yard marker.
With 3:21 left in the third period, the Tigers scored on a 56-yard march in five plays. Jerrell Powell raced 25 yards on a bootleg. Earlier in the drive, Powell scampered 19 yards. Tabor added the extra point.
On Nitro’s succeeding possession, they were forced to punt. While in punt formation, the center snap sailed over the punter’s head. Burgess was credited with a safety. Virtually every time Nitro went to punt, it was a misadventure. They had punts of zero and six yards.
After Nitro’s safety, Allen returned the kickoff 28 yards to Princeton’s 48-yard yard stripe. Mallory pounded the ball 16 yards to Nitro’s 36-marker. On the next play, Allen exploded for a touchdown. Tabor’s conversion boot was successful and the Tigers’ lead ballooned to 33-0.
Nitro again was forced to punt, but the punter fumbled the ball and it was Tiger ball on the Nitro six-yard line. Mallory’s two smashes into the line netted a score. The extra point attempt failed.
Nitro countered with a 10-play 70 yard scoring march against Princeton’s reserves. Wildcat running back Michael Hall scored on a seven-yard run. The Wildcats generated 64 yards of their 78 yards of total offense on this drive. The conversion attempt failed. With 7:43 remaining in the game, the Tigers held a commanding 39-6 advantage.
Late in the game, Hopkins zipped 75 yards for a touchdown. The conversion was good and Princeton led by the final score of 46-6.
Princeton hosts the No. 16-ranked Hurricane Redskins (4-3) on Oct. 16. The Redskins are on the crest of a three-game winning streak. Hurricane features a potent passing attack engineered by quarterback Tyler Pate. His chief targets are Cam Cooper, one of the top receivers in the state, and Roger Turner. Pate is also the team’s principal running threat.
At Nitro Oct. 9, 2009
Nitro 0 0 0 6 — 6
Princeton 10 7 16 13—46
First Quarter
Princeton-Tre Hopkins 12 run (Travis Tabor kick)
Princeton—Tabor 23 field goal
Second Quarter
Princeton—Tevin Allen 10 run (Tabor kick)
Third Quarter
Princeton—Jerrell Powell 25 run (Tabor kick)
Princeton—Jason Burgess safety
Princeton—Allen 36 run (Tabor kick)
Fourth Quarter
Princeton—Cameron Mallory 1 run (kick failed)
Nitro—Michael Hall 7 (kick failed)
Princeton—Hopkins 75 run (Tabor kick)
