By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
As postseason approaches, the ASH Trojans are peaking. Just ask the Pineville Rebels.
In a Week 8 rivalry game Friday night, JT Lindsey rushed for three touchdowns while Ty Feaster passed for two and ran for one of his own as Alexandria Senior High scored 50 unanswered points in the first half and cruised to a 50-14 win over Pineville.
The Trojans scored on all six of their offensive possessions in the first half and even added a defensive touchdown on a pick-6 by free safety Jason Blackwell.
ASH coach Thomas Bachman said his team wasn’t perfect in the first half, but overall the Trojans played pretty well.
“We played efficient, converted third downs and were able to hit some explosive plays,” said Bachman, who improved to 8-0 in Red River Rivalry games since taking over as ASH’s head coach. “That’s usually a formula for success.”
Feaster, who finished 9-of-11 passing for 178 yards, got the Trojan scoring barrage started when he found a wide-open Darius Washington streaking down the left sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.
Lindsey put the Trojans ahead 15-0 with a 1-yard TD on their second drive, which included a 28-yard run by Lindsey and a 28-yard pass from Feaster to EJ Scott down to the 1-yard line.
Feaster kept on a read-option for a 3-yard score on ASH’s third drive, which also featured a 45-yard pass from Feaster to Scott, as the Trojans opened a 22-point lead after the first quarter.
Bachman said he’s been pleased with the progress Feaster has made since joining the program in the offseason. He has become more efficient in the passing game and has grown as a threat with his legs on the read-option.
“He’s put in a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of throwing and catching,” Bachman said. “He’s about that. He’s about the behind the scenes – come early, stay late. Work ethic and a desire to be his very best are traits that he’s always had.”
Amyrion Mingo recovered a Pineville fumble in Rebel territory to set up the Trojans’ fourth score, a 3-yard run by Lindsey, which was followed immediately by Blackwell’s leaping interception and 36-yard return to give the Trojans a 36-0 lead.
Lindsey followed with his third touchdown of the game, a 1-yarder, for a 43-0 lead, and the Trojans capped the first-half scoring with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Feaster to Scott for the 50-0 lead.
As the Trojans emptied their bench in the second half, Pineville added two touchdowns. Ayden Tate took the first play of the third quarter for a 73-yard touchdown, and Hy’keem Mix added a 2-yard TD with just over a minute remaining in the game.
The Rebels managed just 35 yards of offense in the first half but finished with 199 yards in the game. Tate led the way with 119 yards on 12 carries.
Lindsey led the Trojans with 106 rushing yards on 17 carries, his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Scott finished with six receptions for a career-high 127 yards.
NEVILLE 44, TIOGA 13
The Tigers (7-1, 3-0) remained the kings of District 2-4A with another dominant defensive performance, holding Tioga to just 59 yards of offense.
J’chione White scored rushing touchdowns of 63 and 65 yards, and John Michael Sampognaro threw two touchdown passes to Kaleb Vaughn to highlight the Tigers’ offensive attack, which also included touchdown runs by Jaylon Nichols and Darrell Hubbard.
Tioga senior Ja’Corian Norris returned his third kickoff for a touchdown of the season, taking one 99 yards in the second quarter after Neville had opened the game with 24 consecutive points.
The Indians (6-2, 1-1) also scored on a 9-yard reception by Ryan Reeves from Cace Malone, who finished 11-for-22 passing for 72 yards.
MARKSVILLE 56, BOLTON 0
Elidrick Murray passed for two touchdowns, ran for two more and had a pick-6 to lead the Tigers to a 42-point halftime lead Thursday night.
Murray had a 41-yard TD pass to Noah Bryant and a 4-yard TD pass to Jaden Price, a 28-yard run for a score and returned an interception 66 yards to the end zone – all in the first quarter – before adding a 5-yard run in the second quarter to invoke the mercy-rule running clock.
Kyreon “Monk” Prier, who had a team-high 82 rushing yards, adding scoring runs of 50 and 10 yards, while Price added a 36-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. The Tigers (4-4, 1-2 District 2-3A) needed just 16 plays to compile 231 yards of offense.
Bolton (0-8, 0-3) was held to minus-32 yards of offense in the game and didn’t pick up a first down.
RAYVILLE 52, NORTHWOOD-LENA 0
The Gators were shut out for a second straight game as they fell to 1-7 on the season, falling on the road in a non-district matchup.
They will look to end their scoreless streak when they return to action at LaSalle on Thursday night.