PRINCETON — Going into the final regular season game on Nov. 6, the Princeton Tigers were ranked 19th among the state’s AAA teams. In order to finish among the top 16 teams and make the playoffs, the Tigers had to beat Woodrow Wilson and have three teams ranked above them to lose.

The first part of the equation was easy. The home-standing Tigers scored on their first three possessions, and the 49-6 rout of the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles was quickly underway. The second part of the formula was more problematic, but eventually Riverside, Hurricane, and Robert C. Byrd high schools were defeated. Princeton vaulted into 16th place.

In the first round of playoffs, Princeton will face the top-rated Brooke Bruins (10-0) on their home field tonight. Brooke averaged 33.2 points per game, while yielding 14.8 per game. In comparison, Princeton average 22.7 points per game and gave up 14.2 points per contest.

The Bruins prevailed in three close contests. Early in the season, they defeated Parkersburg (6-4) 43-42 and Parkersburg South (7-3) 27-23. In their last game of the regular season, they nipped Musselman (4-6) 14-13.

The only common opponent of the two teams was Woodrow Wilson. Brooke drilled the Flying Eagles 55-14.

Against Woodrow Wilson, Princeton dominated very aspect of the game. The Tigers amassed 388 yards rushing with Tevin “Slash and Bash” Allen gaining 210 yards on 12 carries. He scored twice. Jerrell “ Quicksilver” Powell tallied two touchdowns and passed for another score. Princeton had 432 yards of total offense, while Woodrow Wilson generated only 109 yards of total offense.

In the first half, the Flying Eagles had 11 yards of total offense and did not move the ball past their own 44-yard line.

To open the game, Princeton drove 70 yards in seven plays to register their first score. Key plays on the march were Dalton Christian’s 20-yard reverse and the 30-yard scoring jaunt by Allen. Travis Tabor’s point after touchdown kick was good.

Tony Jones recovered a Woodrow Wilson bobble on their 42-yard line. The Tigers marched to the end zone in six plays. The payoff strike was a 13-yard pass to Corey Quick from Jerrell Powell. Travis Tabor converted the extra point to make the score 14-0.

On the Flying Eagles’ second possession, Tony Jones again made a sterling defensive play. He sacked Woodrow Wilson’s quarterback, J. C. Pennington, for a 28-yard loss. Jones’ persistent pursuit of the quarterback was impressive.

Still in the first quarter, the Tigers struck again as they moved 54 yards in six plays. Cameron Mallory had a 12-yard rush on the drive, which was capped off by Jerrell Powell’s 17-yard scoring dash. Tabor’s conversion boot was good. With 40 seconds left in the first period, Princeton had a 21-0 advantage.

Early in the second quarter, Allen scampered 65 yards to Woodrow Wilson’s five-yard marker. He fumbled and lost possession of the ball.

On the Tigers’ next possession, they drove 60 yards in seven plays to score their fourth touchdown of the half. A key play was a Powell-to-Christian pass play that covered 31 yards. Powell tallied the touchdown from the two-yard line. Tabor’s successful conversion made the score 28-0 with 4:15 left in the half.

To start the third quarter, Woodrow Wilson was unable to move the ball and punted to Princeton’s 48 yard-line.

After an incomplete pass, Allen zipped 52 yards to the end zone. Tabor’s kick made the score 35-0 with 9:24 left in the quarter.

The Flying Eagles coughed up the ball with the Tigers’ gaining possession on their opponents’ 13-yard marker. Princeton tallied in three plays. Allen gained 10 yards and two smashes into the line by Cameron Mallory produced a score. Tabor’s successful boot advanced the score to 42-0 with 8:33 remaining in the third period.

The Flying Eagles’ started their next drive on their 35-yard marker. They marched down to the Princeton 18-yard line. On fourth down with five yards to go, Mallory broke up a pass and the Tigers took over on downs. Woodrow Wilson’s drive covered 47 yards and took 15 plays.

Princeton proceeded to march 82 yards in nine plays to record their final touchdown. Tre Hopkins sparked this drive. He ripped off gains of 32 and 33 yards, and scored on a five-yard run. Tabor’s kick concluded Princeton’s scoring with 6:49 left in the game.

Late in the game, the Flying Eagles moved 49 yards against Tiger reserves to score. Lance Martin dove into the end zone from a yard out to score a touchdown Woodrow Wilson’s attempt for a two-point conversion failed. With 1:33 left in the game, Princeton held a 49-6 lead.

Leading tacklers for the Tigers’ aggressive defense were Mallory with 10.5 and Colt Karnes with 6.5 stops, respectively.



At Hunnicutt Stadium October 6, 2009



W. Wilson 0 0 0 6—6

Princeton 21 7 14 7—49



First Quarter

Princeton—Tevin Allen 30 run ( Travis Tabor kick) 9:07

Princeton—Corey Quick 13 pass from Jerrell Powell (Tabor kick) 5:48

Princeton—Powell 17 run (Tabor kick) 0:40

Second Quarter

Princeton—Powell 2 run (Tabor kick) 4:15

Third Quarter

Princeton—Allen 52 run (Tabor kick) 9:24

Princeton—Cameron Mallory 1 run (Tabor kick) 8:33

Fourth Quarter

Princeton—Tre Hopkins 5 run (Tabor kick) 6:49

Woodrow Wilson—Lance Martin 1 run (two-point conversion attempt failed) 1:33