Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:55 am Saturday, September 6, 2003

Trojans blast past Tigers

By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
September 6, 2003
Northeast Lauderdale was on the losing end of a shutout last week. On Friday, they nearly dealt one to county rival Southeast Lauderdale in a 34-8 win.
Coming off a 23-0 loss to Northwest Rankin in their season opener, the Trojans showed marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The defensive line kept Southeast quarterback Drew Harper on the run for much of the night.
The Trojans also held their blocks better on offense, opening running lanes all night for their speed-based shotgun offense.
Perhaps most comfortable of all the Trojans was senior running back Dontray Walker, who finished with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Maurice Langston and Ed Pearce also added touchdowns for Northeast Lauderdale.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, momentum swung permanently for the Trojans in the second quarter. The Trojans finished a long drive on the first play of the second period with a 1-yard touchdown run by Walker.
After the Trojans missed the extra point, the Tigers started at their own 20 yard line trailing 6-0. They slowly drove the length of the field on a possession that lasted just over seven minutes, but were turned away by the Trojans defense on fourth and goal.
Southeast Lauderdale got the ball back after Northeast Lauderdale's offense stalled, but gave up possession on an interception by Pearce with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Tigers' defense stymied Northeast Lauderdale's hurry-up offense until Langston completed an 11-yard pass on fourth down with 24 seconds remaining.
Moments later, Walker scored his second touchdown of the game from 44 yards out, and the Trojans never looked back.
Southeast Lauderdale head coach Dwane Taylor entered the game concerned that the Trojans would catch his defense napping on counters and misdirection plays, and he said that fear came to pass.
The Trojans began many of their possessions near or inside the 50-yard line, and Taylor said his team will have to find ways to make opposing offenses work harder for points.
Southeast Lauderdale's only score came with just over a minute remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Josh Davidson. Davidson also scored on the ensuing two-point conversion.By Will Bardwell
staff writer
Northeast Lauderdale was on the losing end of a shutout last week. On Friday, they nearly dealt one to county rival Southeast Lauderdale in a 34-8 win.
Coming off a 23-0 loss to Northwest Rankin in their season opener, the Trojans showed marked improvement on both sides of the ball. The defensive line kept Southeast quarterback Drew Harper on the run for much of the night.
The Trojans also held their blocks better on offense, opening running lanes all night for their speed-based shotgun offense.
Perhaps most comfortable of all the Trojans was senior running back Dontray Walker, who finished with three rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Maurice Langston and Ed Pearce also added touchdowns for Northeast Lauderdale.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, momentum swung permanently for the Trojans in the second quarter. The Trojans finished a long drive on the first play of the second period with a 1-yard touchdown run by Walker.
After the Trojans missed the extra point, the Tigers started at their own 20 yard line trailing 6-0. They slowly drove the length of the field on a possession that lasted just over seven minutes, but were turned away by the Trojans defense on fourth and goal.
Southeast Lauderdale got the ball back after Northeast Lauderdale's offense stalled, but gave up possession on an interception by Pearce with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Tigers' defense stymied Northeast Lauderdale's hurry-up offense until Langston completed an 11-yard pass on fourth down with 24 seconds remaining.
Moments later, Walker scored his second touchdown of the game from 44 yards out, and the Trojans never looked back.
Southeast Lauderdale head coach Dwane Taylor entered the game concerned that the Trojans would catch his defense napping on counters and misdirection plays, and he said that fear came to pass.
The Trojans began many of their possessions near or inside the 50-yard line, and Taylor said his team will have to find ways to make opposing offenses work harder for points.
Southeast Lauderdale's only score came with just over a minute remaining on a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Josh Davidson. Davidson also scored on the ensuing two-point conversion.

Also on Franklin County Times
Text message signaled return to state
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
AHSAA NW REGIONAL FINAL RED BAY 64, COLD SPRINGS 52
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — It was a simple text message, one sent by a mom of a former player. It was a six-year-old picture of Red Bay huddled together outside Leg...
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Main, ...
COLD SPRINGS 45, BELGREEN 42
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — Their hands found their faces quickly — something, anything, to absorb the tears. It only worked so well. “It’s hard,” Makenna Fisher sai...
Court asked to halt lot sales
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners are seeking a court order to halt future sales of lots for the Lightning Ridge subdivision. Colbert Count...
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Middle school teacher Carley Andrews Tellish has been named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes one K...
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- The annual Franklin County Cattlemen’s beef cookoff took place recently at Triple H Barn with students from Russellville, Red Bay, Bel...
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
February 25, 2026
As the 250th celebration of the United States approaches, members of the Cultura Garden club have been revisiting American history through a series of...
Medicare Advantage must be funded
Columnists, Opinion
February 25, 2026
In a few short months, policymakers will decide the financial fate of the Medicare Advantage program and its millions of members. While the program is...
Guntersville ends season for RHS girls basketball
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Brannon King For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
The memorable and successful 2025-26 girls basketball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers at the AHSAA Class 5A Northwest Regiona...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *