Troup falls short against Panthers

Der'rick Thompson looks to evade the Bullard defense in Friday's 34-21 loss to the Panthers. Photo/Jeff Mills

A third-quarter surge gave Troup the lead heading into the final quarter Friday night in Bullard, but the eight-point margin was quickly eclipsed as the Panthers scored 21 unanswered points to hand the Tigers their second straight loss, 34-21.

Trailing by one point at halftime, Troup seemed to have gained the momentum, scoring twice in the third quarter. The last touchdown, a 21-yard reception that was tipped into the hands of Reginald Wade, seemed like a good sign for the Tigers, who were defeated by just such a pass in White Oak two weeks earlier.

The celebration was short lived, however, as Bullard scored a TD on the first play of the fourth quarter and added two more to seal the victory.

Troup started things on the right note. After a booming kick by Zach Childress pinned Bullard deep in its own territory, the Tiger defense forced a quick four and out. Taking over on its own 45, Troup put together an eight-play drive capped by a 28- yard touchdown rumble by Thacher Riddle. Childress' point after attempt was blocked, giving Troup the early lead at 6- 0 with 5:15 left in the first.

Photo/Charlotte Smith Troup staff adjust equipment for Thacher Riddle during Friday's hard-fought game with Bullard. Riddle had 104 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers.

Bullard's second possession saw the Panthers work their way down to the Troup 30 yard line before Riddle upended the ball carrier, forcing a fumble. The Tigers set up at their own 28, but were hit with three penalties on this possession (one of which nullified a third-and-11 pass completion from Chance Steele to Riddle).

Faced with a fourth and long, Troup punted to open the second quarter, but quickly got the ball back. Under heavy pressure from Jeremy Richardson, the Bullard QB threw an interception which set Troup up near midfield.

Bullard seemed to have Troup's number on this possession and made several backfield tackles to set up a fourth and long.

The Panthers took over on their 34 and were soon facing a third-and-11 situation thanks to a tackle in the backfield by Wade. Joseph Noyola read the Bullard QB all the way and stepped in front of the Panther receiver for the team's second interception. The crowd groaned as Noyola seemingly lost the handle on the ball. The groans turned to boos after the officials ruled Noyola had indeed intercepted the ball, but then fumbled it back to Bullard.

Photo courtesy Bullard Banner News Troup's middle Tigers faced tough competition from the Bullard Panthers last Thursday, coming away with a 28-0 loss. Above, the Tigers are stopped on fourth down by a stingy Panther defense.

Instead of facing a fourth and long, the Panthers earned new set of downs and successfully scored their first TD on 55-yard pass reception.

The PAT gave the Panthers a one-point lead, 7-6, with 3:35 left to play in the half.

The Tigers kept possession of the ball, with Riddle and Der'rick Thompson gradually moving the team downfield.

As the half wound down, Wade almost came up with one-handed reception, and then Steele was sacked for a big loss.

Steele picked up a long first down for the Tigers on a QB keeper and then spiked the ball with 13 seconds left and Troup on the Bullard 35 yard line.

Two incomplete passes later, the half ended in Bullard's favor, 7-6.

After going scoreless in the second quarter, the Tigers wasted no time getting on the board again in the second half.

Helped by a key block from Wade, Thompson turned in a 90- yard kickoff return that set Troup up at the Bullard 3-yard line.

Riddle needed just one try at the endzone to reclaim the lead make it 14-7 Troup less than 30 seconds into the third quarter.

Following a strong kickoff return, Bullard took over on its own 41. Two players later the Panthers nearly scored before their ball carrier was knocked out of bounds by Doug Huntsberger on the Troup 8- yard line.

The Troup defense put up a strong stand and tackled Bullard for losses on consecutive plays.

A third-down miscue on the snap pushed the Panthers even further away from the goal.

A fourth-down sack by Wade helped Troup avert trouble, but not for long. The Tigers went for a fourth and one from their own 45 and turned the ball back over to Bullard after a fumbled snap.

The Tigers were called for pass interference in the endzone, setting Bullard up on the 1-yard line. Bullard scored but missed the PAT, leaving Troup with a 14-13 lead.

Wade reeled in his 21-yard TD on Troup's next possession, marking the Tigers last score of the night.

The Tigers (1-2) travel to Arp Friday night for their district opener.

	Score By Quarters
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
Troup	6	0	15	0	21
Bullard	0	7	6	21	34