LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Even the most optimistic version of Sean Patrick couldn't have dreamt up the outcomes of Trion High School's first two football games of the 2022 season.
The Bulldogs, after easily dispatching archrival Gordon Lee in week one on the road, had their way with another Walker County team Friday with a 45-7 win at LaFayette. Patrick, Trion's third-year coach, was giddy after a contest in which his team dominated in every fashion of the game, including outgaining the hosts 362 yards to 198 and intercepting three passes by the Ramblers (1-1).
"The kids played well again tonight," Patrick said. "It was a tough environment, but it's a credit to our kids for the work they put in this week and how well they executed tonight."
Senior Logan Eller and junior Toby Maddux each scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and combined for 215 yards on the ground, sophomore quarterback Kade Smith threw two touchdown passes and Trion's defense held electric LaFayette sophomore Khalis Finley to 68 yards on 22 carries in addition to the three picks that turned into 21 points.
"From an offensive standpoint it's a luxury to know your defense isn't going to give up a lot," Patric said. "Our kids were physical tonight on both sides of the ball."
Trion's first possession netted 3 yards, but only one of the next six failed to score. Maddux scored the game's first points on a 52-yard run late in the first quarter. The score was 10-0 after Andy Ramirez connected on a 33-yard field goal, and after a LaFayette three-and-out possession, Eller bulled in from 6 yards for a 17-0 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in seven minutes in the third quarter, 14 of the points coming after interceptions. Smith hit Nathan Willingham for a 35-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-0, Maddux scored from 3 yards and Ethan Willingham caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Smith (6-of-10 for 142 yards) to put the game away.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.