The Trinity High School defense could not ward off Lexington’s scoring power.
Anyone present at the ’Dog Pit Saturday for the first round of the 2A state playoffs could almost hear the strands of that melody in the background as the Bulldogs closed their 2009 season with a 40-22 loss against the Lexington High School Yellow Jackets.
Coaches, players and fans seemed reluctant to leave the muddy quagmire of a field Saturday night, knowing that it was the final game for the ’Dogs. And with 75 percent of the team consisting of seniors, it made it particularly emotional for these young men who have spent countless hours together over the past four years.
“It is sad that we had to end the season this way,” said Coach Alex Mebane. “We’re very disappointed in the outcome, but we continually shot ourselves in the foot with mistakes.”
Things didn’t look good for the ’Dogs from the start when Lexington’s Marquez Grayson, a freshman, returned the opening kickoff with an 86-yard touchdown run. And after a successful PAT the Yellow Jackets took the lead just 12 seconds into the game.
With 5 minutes left in the first quarter, after two incomplete passes into the end zone, the ’Dogs decided to at least go for 3 with a field goal attempt. No. 22 Ron Griffin cleared the uprights from 32 yards out and our boys were on the board.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter of play, Lexington’s defense snagged a Trinity pitchout, returned the interception 23 yards and hit pay dirt for another 6 points.
Determined to stay on their tail, it took the ’Dogs only three plays to move the ball 65 yards to set themselves up in scoring position. Quarterback Rhyne Kivett came through with a 1-yard run. After a successful PAT, the score was 13-10.
The Yellow Jackets found the end zone once more prior to the half and the score was 19-10, as the mud-covered players headed for the field house.
The visiting team scored again early in the second half, but Trinity was determined to stay in the ball game. With 7:04 left in the third quarter, No. 20 Angelo Dunn, who totaled 22 carries for 188 yards, found an opening and dashed 43 yards toward the promised land. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good.
Another Trinity turnover early in the final quarter set Lexington up on Trinity’s 18. Five plays later, Lexington’s Codie Boger scored from the 5 to give the Yellow Jackets a comfortable lead.
Trinity’s final touchdown came with 4:07 left to play, when Dunn darted around the right side with a 15-yard run. The ’Dogs attempted yet another 2-point conversion but was unsuccessful.
With only 52 seconds left in the game, the Jackets added insult to injury with an 11-yard touchdown and a conversion.
Several seniors, while very emotional, were available for comment at the game’s conclusion.
No. 40, TJ Bulla, who has played both sides of the ball this season said, “This just hurts. Our season is over.”
No. 60 Jacob Motley sadly agreed, “I can’t believe this is over. I can’t even describe how this makes me feel.”
No. 75 Austin Reitzel praised his teammates by saying, “Everybody did their job on both sides of the ball. While we didn’t bring home a win tonight, we’ve had a winning season.”
As the stadium slowly began to clear out, players, parents, family and friends, swapped hugs, laughter, tears and memories of the long “road” they had traveled together.
No. 22 Ron Griffin echoed Mebane’s sentiments that “nobody wanted it to end this way.” But he thoughtfully added, “I’ll cherish these guys, the team that I’ve had.”
Athletic Director Doug Tuggle smiled when asked how he felt about this season. “These boys, the way they have played as a team, the unity they’ve shared, this group has been fun to watch.”
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