Trenton beats Bronson

Story and photo by Terry Witt
Staff Writer

Bronson High School lost their second game of the season Friday at the hands of a Trenton team looking for their first win.

Trenton defeated Bronson 21-14 at the Tiger homecoming.

Offensive statistics were lacking on Bronson’s side of the ball, and Coach Al Cooksey wasn’t happy about his team’s performance in the first half.

"We started hitting toward the end," he said. "I wished they had been hitting in the first and second quarters."

He said they also missed the services of Marcus White, a lineman with a high ankle sprain. White has missed several games.

Cooksey said the team didn’t block or tackle well and didn’t play hard in the first half. The time Bronson offense spent on the sideline was costly.

Trenton ran out the clock on its final drive, keeping Bronson’s often explosive offensive from getting the ball back.

Trenton Coach Chris Baker told his excited team the Bronson win confirmed his expectations.

"We told you it would eventually click," he said.

The Tigers came into the game without its leading rusher and with injuries in other positions, but Baker said he was proud of the way they fought against Bronson, a team he described as "physically tough."

"We were hanging in there to the end," he said. "We really made some big plays and got some huge touchdowns."

Baker, who like Cooksey is in his first year, said he had yet to see the game films, but he said there was one close call that led to a Trenton touchdown. He knew the ball popped out at the goal line. The officials called it a touchdown. He hopes it was a legitimate call.

Baker said he knew the game wouldn’t be easy. I said, "Guys, this is gonna be a dog fight."

Trenton scored first with 11:09 left in the second quarter when Jimmy Bogarde caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Smith. Smith found Trevor Pelphrey for the two point conversion. The 8-0 score lasted until halftime.

The Eagles returned fire with 10:32 left in the third quarter when Kelby Barber faked left and ran right for a touchdown. The two point conversion failed.

Bronson was forced into a fierce goal-line stand late in the third quarter. On fourth and goal with the tip of the ball almost touching the goal line, Trenton fullback Corbyn Pugh ran left and was met head-on at the line. The crushing hit forced the ball to pop loose. It rolled into the endzone. Some officials threw flags indicating a fumble, but the run was ruled a touchdown, leaving the score 14-6 with 3:09 left in the third. Pugh was helped off the field.

On the extra point attempt, Jessie Waybright burst through the Trenton line to block the kick.

Bronson fans were furious about the touchdown call. Some hurled insults at the officials for the remainder of the game, accusing them of biased officiating.

The Tigers increased their lead when Smith found Aaron Avila for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter.

Bronson’s offense continued having problems, but the defense picked up the slack when Eagle middle linebacker Mike Sinclair scooped up a fumble and rumbled 68 yards for a touchdown.

Trenton recovered Bronson’s onside kick and ran out the clock.

Bronson Statistics: Defense - Jake Williams, two tackles; Jessie Waybright, eight tackles; Mike Sinclair, 12 tackles and a 68-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown; Mike Knapp, two sacks, five tackles; C.J. King, five tackles, one caused fumble.

Offense - Kelby Barber three of eight passes for 36 yards. He had four rushes for 44 yards and a two point conversion; Virgil Greenlee, eight carries for 31 yards. Rudolfo Contreras four carries for 44 yards.