TRENTON, Ga. - A balanced running game, efficient and timely passing and consistent execution were the perfect recipe for success for Trion on Friday night.
The Bulldogs beat Dade County 35-14 behind senior Logan Blevins' 24 carries for 135 yards and one touchdown.
"The more balanced that we can be, the more honest the defense has to play us," Trion coach Justin Brown said. "If we're playing well, it's hard for them to take away all of those guys."
Eight Bulldogs had at least one carry as Trion (2-0) totaled 219 yards on 51 rushes, with Blevins leading the attack.
"I just want to help the team, whatever helps us win," Blevins said. "I just run behind my blockers, and everyone did a good job tonight."
Bulldogs quarterback Jarret Gill, also a senior, didn't have to put the ball in the air much. But when he did, he and his receivers made sure it counted.
Arguably Gill's most important pass of the night came with just 30 seconds left in the first half. Facing third down from the Wolverines' 10-yard line, Gill found tight end Colton Duncan over the middle for a touchdown that put Trion up 21-7 at halftime.
"We knew if we could hold them that we had the ball back after halftime," Dade County coach Bradley Warren said. "They executed well. If two or three things happen in our favor, that's a different ballgame."
Gill finished 9-of-12 passing for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Cole Phillips was his main target, catching four passes for 65 yards.
Dade County (1-2) was unable to capitalize on having the opening possession of the second half, and both teams traded possessions in a scoreless third quarter.
The Bulldogs struck quickly in the fourth quarter, however, as Gill hooked up with Cole Phillips for a 36-yard touchdown that gave Trion a 28-7 lead.
The Wolverines answered with a 33-yard pass from quarterback Greg Templeton to Lee Spencer, but Trion put the game away after Blevins scored from the 1-yard line with just more than four minutes left.
Dade County outgained Trion in total yardage, 317-313, though much of that yardage came during the fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Templeton threw for 160 yards and a touchdown, while senior Lee Spencer had four catches for 125 yards.
Trion also avoided harming itself.
"We try to preach execution and minimizing mistakes," Brown said. "When you don't turn the ball over and then only have three penalties, that's a pretty good night of football."