Published: October 30, 2009 11:11 am      

Tigers take fourth straight win

By ED ROBINSON

for the Princeton Times

PRINCETON — The Princeton Tigers football team has elevated its level of play in recent weeks. On a wet and windy Oct. 23 evening, the Tigers chalked up their fourth consecutive win by blasting the Greenbrier East Spartans 24-0.

The shut-out victory was Princeton’s first since blanking Spring Valley 34-0 late in the 2005 season.

The Tigers dominated the Spartans both offensively and defensively. Princeton amassed 422 yards in total offense while permitting Greenbrier East just 111 yards.

The Spartans’ deepest penetration was the Tiger seven-yard stripe in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers had a host of players turn in impressive offensive performances. Sophomore Tre Hopkins scored on a 70-yard scamper late in the contest and also scored on a spectacular 39-yard pass play. Tevin Allen rushed 14 times for 144 yards. He also grabbed a 24-yard pass. Dalton Christian tallied a touchdown on a five-yard burst and hauled in a nine-yard pass. Tanner Grose snagged four passes for 33 yards. Jerrell Powell passed for a touchdown and 150 yards. He connected on 10 of 18 attempts.

Colt Karnes and Virgil Campbell were “beasts” on the defensive line and each recorded a sack. In addition to his impressive passing performance, Powell intercepted a pass. Linebackers Gross, Cameron Mallory, and John Barnett continued their strong play.

In the first quarter, Princeton penetrated to the Greenbrier East 19-yard line. The drive fizzled, and a field goal attempt failed.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter. They took possession of the ball on the Spartan’s 49-yard marker. Allen dashed 43 yards to the Greenbrier six-yard line. After a yard gain, Christian tallied from the five. Travis Tabor booted the extra point, and the Tigers had a 7-0 lead with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter.

On their next possession, Princeton drove 84 yards in five plays to score. A big gainer was a 33-yard run by Allen. Hopkins made a beautiful catch of a Powell pass to score on a 39-yard play. Tabor’s point after touchdown kick was good. The Tigers lead was 14-0 with 4:39 left in the half.

During the first two quarters, the Spartans’ best field position was their own 42-yard line as Princeton’s excellent defensive play kept Greenbrier East bottled up in their own territory.

On their second possession of the second half, Princeton started a drive at their 19-yard line. After 18 plays, the march was successfully concluded with a 27-yard Tabor field goal.

Late in the fourth quarter, Greenbrier East mounted its sole scoring threat of the game. They started on their 31-yard line and drove 62 yards until the drive stalled. This possession produced the Spartans’ two biggest plays of the game. Clay Ayers connected with receiver Travis Butts on a 21-yard pass play. Later Ayers scrambled 20 yards to the Tiger seven-yard marker, but that was as close as the Spartans came to scoring.

Princeton started their next possession at their 12-yard line. In four plays, the Tigers moved the ball to the 30. At this juncture, Hopkins put an exclamation point on the Tigers’ decisive decision as he zipped 70 yards for a touchdown. With a successful Tabor conversion, Princeton extended their lead to 24-0 with less than a minute in the game.

Tonight, the Tigers travel to Huntington to battle the winless Highlanders (0-8).

Last year, Princeton struggled to beat a one-win Huntington team, 28-27.

Talented Highlander quarterback Tyler Hutchinson leads the team in rushing (71 carries, 318 yards, 4.5 yards per rush, four touchdowns) and passing (71 completions in 123 attempts, 734 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions). Hutchinson, however, has been injured the last two weeks and his status for the game with the Tigers is unknown. Last week Davonte Marable, a converted wide receiver, handled the quarterback chores passing for 225 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. Hunter Smith also has seen action at quarterback (15 completions, 27 attempts, 153 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions). The Highlanders top receivers are Brandon Eubank (21 receptions, 333 yards, one touchdown) and Chris Eschleman (26 receptions, 299 yards, two touchdowns). In Hutchinson’s absence, the top rusher is Rashaun Page (45 carries, 219 yards, 4.9 average, one touchdown).

Huntington averages 224 yards of total offense per game (88 yards rushing, 136 yards passing).



At Hunnicutt Stadium

October 24, 2009



Greenbrier East 0 0 0 0 — 0

Princeton 0 14 0 10 — 24



Second Quarter

Princeton — Dalton Christian 5 run (Travis Tabor kick) 9:53

Princeton — Tre Hopkins 39 pass from Jerrell Powell (Tabor kick) 4:39



Fourth Quarter

Princeton — Tabor 27 field goal 10:31

Princeton — Hopkins 70 run (Tabor kick) 0:42