Tonight’s UTV 44 High School Game of the Week presented by Subway showcased Round #1 of the state playoffs between the Opelika Bulldogs vs. Daphne Trojans.
Daphne looking to defend their state title hosted Opelika which was the #3 seed from Region 3.
Daphne got the ball first to start the game. Quarterback T.J. Fleeton lead the Trojans
down the field for 63 yards. The drive was capped off by an 11 yard touchdown reception by Daphne’s Chris Sain.
Daphne was able to stop Opelika on their first possession but after a fumble on the first play of their second possession, Opelika got
the ball back on Daphne’s two yard line. The next play Opelika’s D’Marius Howard punched the ball into the end
zone to tie the game up 7-7 halfway through the 1st quarter.
Daphne again drove down field on Opelika. The Trojans took the ball 67 yards and ended
the drive on a 9 yard rush by T.J. Yeldon to put the Trojans back up 14-7 in the 1st quarter.
The Trojan defense able to stop Opelika again, the offense looked to keep up the scoring pace.
Yeldon lead the drive with a 32 yard reception to get the Trojans into scoring position. Fleeton found Jonathan
McGaster for a 1 yard touchdown reception. Daphne extended their lead in the 2nd quarter 21-7 over
Opelika.
Opelika was able to get on the scoreboard again. Tyler Jones hauled in a 45 yard reception to
get the Bulldogs into position. Opelika’s Will Black kicked a 25 yard field goal to get the Bulldogs
within 11 points down 21-10.
On the ensuing kickoff, Daphne’s Torren McGaster ran the kick off back 92 yards for the touchdown, Daphne now lead 28-10.
After exchanging touchdowns, the Trojans went into half time leading 35-17 over the Bulldogs.
In the 3rd quarter, Opelika’s Kurt Hale was able to pick of Fleeton and return the ball for 14 yards. One play later Tony Philpot hauled in a 28 yard touchdown pass. Opelika was now only down 35-24. Opelika recorved the
onside kick but eventually had to punt the ball away.
Opelika struck again after Lequin Snipes picked off Fleeton and was able to take it all the way back 42 yards for the touchdown. Opelika now was only down by four points, 35-31.
To start the 4th quarter, T.J. Yeldon was able to find the end zone for the third time in the game. His 8 yard touchdown rush put the Trojans up 42-31.
Daphne’s Jalen Coleman picked off Opelika, but the Trojans could not capitalize on the turnover after Brandon Roberts missed a 30 yard
field goal. But that did not stop the Trojans as on the next possession; T.J. Yeldon found the end zone again on a 12
yard carry. Yeldon finished the night with 151 yards on 32 carries and four touchdowns. Yeldon has now rushed for over 2,000 yards
for the season.
Daphne sealed the game after Torren McGaster got the defense’s second interception of Opelika.
With the 49-31 victory, Daphne now travels for Round #2 to Prattville (8-2) who defeated Alma Bryant 56-14 in Round #1.
