Click to enlarge photos.
By Emily Horos
Marietta Daily Journal Sports Writer
MARIETTA ?- When the Lassiter offense sputtered at times against Pope Friday night, the Trojan defense stepped up to prove it has what it takes to be a complete football team.
Despite a pair of lost fumbles and one interception, the Trojans defeated Pope, 31-14, in the Region 6AAAAA opener for both teams, thanks in part to three touchdowns by Dylan Dupree and nearly 400 yards of offense.
Lassiter coach Chip Lindsey was pleased with the performance by the defense, but said the offense left something to be desired.
"Our defense played really good," he said. "Our defense did a really good job. I am proud of them. Offensively we sputtered and struggled. I think that Pope had a lot to do with that. You have got to give them credit. We have a long ways to go on offense, but defensively I am proud. I am just a little disappointed offensively."
The trouble started early for the Trojan offense, which looked poised for a touchdown just three minutes into the game, before a fumble in the end zone erased that opportunity.
Pope, however, was quick to return the ball as it two fumbled six plays later.
Mason would throw an interception before finally helping his team reach the end zone with a 30-yard pass to Philip Lutzenkirchen two minutes into the second quarter. Lutzenkirchen led all receivers with five catches for 98 yards.
Capitalizing on another Greyhound miscue-Scott Simpson intercepted a ball thrown by Steve Wilkerson- Lassiter took another trip to the end zone before the half.
On a 2-yard run, Dupree put his team ahead 14-0 with just 38 second left in the second quarter. The lead would have been greater if not for a pair of missed field goals by kicker Jordan Shreiner.
Dupree scored twice more in the second half-once from the 1-yard line and once from the 6-yard line. He finished the game with 12 carries for 50 yards.
Shreiner made up for his previous mistakes by adding a 16-yard field goal at the close of the third quarter. He was also perfect on four point after attempts.
For all its missed chances, Pope did get on the board twice in the fourth quarter.
Parker Frost, who led the Greyhounds with 78 rushing yards on nine carries, toted the ball in from 23 yards for the first score. Jonathan Felix, who had six carries for 64 yards in the final five minutes of the game, added the second with a 20-yard run with 0:08 on the clock.
Mason completed 26 of 37 passes for 274 yards a touchdown and an interception. Griffin Lammie contributed 124 yards of offense - 74 rushing, 50 receiving - in the victory.
Pope coach Matt Kemper said he was pleased his team was able to compete with a team like Lassiter, but the Greyhounds still have a lot to work on.
"We have got a long way to go," he said. "We really do as a program. We are going to get there. We just have to come back and work tomorrow. (Lassiter) is high power, high octane and all that stuff. We are never going to be that. That is just not Pope.
"Hopefully we found some things to go home and be happy about. We just have to do all the little, tiny, tiny things right every time. We will keep at it."
Comment on this Story
Posted Comments
Kemper is the man for the POPE Job he is hard working and has a great offensive and defenseive mind give him some time and POPE will be a powerhouse
Kemper says,"We are never going to be that. That is just not Pope." What horrible attitude Coach! Pope will never be anything with a leader who has no faith! Baaaad News! Even Swank would never had said that!
Madon continues to show great progress and poise...this young team deserves coverage (and thank you for yours)they are showing real effort to really move ahead... Parent should really be proud and we are sure they are backing their kids all the way. As long time fans of high school, college and recourse NFL games. In tme we are sure members if Lassiter football team will follow the path to big time Tobiaus Sr. tobysez@bellsouth.net sine nenber if Lassiter
I do believe that the Pope coach needs to work a little on his motivational speaches. To proclaim that his team will never be high power, high octane and all that stuff because that is just not who they are is rather deflating. Ah well, I am a Lassiter fan so that is at least one win every year.
LASSITER HAS THREE GREAT RUNNERS THIS YEAR DUPREE LAMEY AND X THEY WILL GO TO REGIONS THIS YEAR IF THEY KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK HUDSON IS A GREAT LEADER AND COACH LYNDSY HAS TURNED THE PROGRAM AROUND WITH HIS AMAZING COACHING STAFF. GOOD LUCK LASSITER!