Wade, Tigers sail by Waskom
Homecoming win breaks losing streak

Photo/Jeff Mills Troup's Reggie Wade led his team to a decisive homecoming win over Waskom Friday. The senior had 207 yards rushing and scored four of the Tigers' five touchdowns in the 35-6 victory.

Reggie Wade crossed the goal line four times to lead the Troup Tigers over Waskom, 35- 6, in an inspired homecoming victory. The win was crucial for the Tigers, halting an uncharacteristic three-game losing streak and evening the team's district record at 1-1.

Cody Lepelley also had a big night, racking up 120 yards and scoring the team's final TD.

The Tigers wasted little time establishing their dominance, with Wade scoring a 13-yard touchdown on the seventh play of the opening drive. Jordan Jackson' PAT sailed wide to give Troup a 6-0 lead at the 8:57 mark of the first quarter.

Waskom set up on its own 32 following Chris Malone's kickoff. The Wildcats worked their way down to the Troup 39, thanks mostly to a succession of penalties against the Tigers.

Facing a fourth-and-six on the Tiger 39, Waskom completed a short pass with Cody Lepelley applying the quick tackle. Despite the completion, the Wildcats picked up a flag of their own, resulting in a loss of down which nullified the firstdown pickup.

Cody Lepelley

Troup took over on its own 34. Carries by Wade and Lepelley quickly moved the Tigers into Waskom territory, but another penalty - this one a personal foul - stalled the team's progress and led to a turnover on downs on the Waskom 23 yard line.

Waskom began play in the second quarter from its own 23. After a flag and short carry, the Wildcats completed a pass over midfield to move the chains to near midfield. Troup caused a turnover on the next play, however, with Cody Lepelley recovering the fumble that set up the team's second score.

Taking over on the 50, Der'rick Thompson picked up 18 yards on a reverse to move the ball to the Wascom 32. After a loss of three on the next play, Wade took a second-down handoff and ran 35 yards for his second TD.

Wade also converted the two-point conversion to widen the lead to 14-0 with a little over seven minutes left to play in the first half.

Waskom had good field position on its next possession, thanks to a 26-yard kickoff return.

Setting up on their own 46, the Wildcats were quickly facing a fourth-and-one from the Troup 46. Trailing by two TDs, Waskom decided to risk it and were rewarded with another key penalty against the Tigers. The face mask call gave the Wildcats the ball on the Troup 36 with five minutes left in the half.

Waskom was able to pick up two first downs and advance the chains to the Tiger 11 yard line at the minute-and-half mark. The drive stopped here, however, as the team had four chances at the end zone, including an incomplete pass on the last play of the half.

Things didn't improve for Waskom in the second half, as their opening possession re- sulted in a blocked punt by Thacher Riddle. The Tigers didn't capitalize on the big play, however, and committed a turnover two plays later.

Riddle came up with another big play for his team, sacking the Waskom QB and forcing the Wildcats to punt from their end zone.

An illegal blocking penalty against Troup helped the Wildcats by forcing the Tigers back to the their own 34. After picking up a first down, Troup was hit with the same penalty again, setting up a first-and-20 from the Tiger 44.

Carries by Wade moved the ball down to the Waskom 26, where the senior speedster scored his third TD on and thirdand two handoff from Steele. The two teamed up on the twopoint play as Steele hit Wade in the end zone to widen the Tiger lead to 22-0 with 6:35 left in the first quarter.

After a quick series by Waskom and a strong stand by the Tiger defense, Troup got the ball back on its own 36. The Tigers quickly got back in Wildcat territory with Adam Voigt following his own tip and reeling in a pass from Steele that set Troup up on the Waskom 15.

Wade scored his final TD two plays later with an 11-yard run at the 2:11 mark. The PAT missed, leaving the score 28-0.

The teams traded possessions until an interception by Daniel Dick midway through the fourth set up the Tigers' final score. Star ting at the Waskom 44, Cody Lepelley quickly picked up a new set of downs and then proved he didn't need them, scoring on a long run from scrimmage for the 34-0 lead. Jackson hit his last PAT to make it 35-0 with 7:18 left to play.

Waskom put together its only scoring drive, capped by a TD pass with 4:13 on the clock. Troup blocked the PAT but was hit with a penalty for roughing the center. The Wildcats go another chance to put points on the board, but the Tiger defense stopped the two-point run attempt to end the scoring and give the Tigers a decisive win.

With Wade and Cody Lepelley fueling the offense, Riddle led the defense with 15 tackles, two sacks and one blocked punt.

The Tigers are traveling to West Rusk Friday with gametime at 7:30 p.m.