A severe thunderstorm dampened spirits in Bruce early Friday night as it postponed the season-opening kickoff by almost two hours, but lightning struck for the Trojans late with a special teams touchdown to help them rally for a 19-13 win over North Pontotoc.
Jay Johnson leaps to make a catch for the Trojans. Photo by Joel McNeece
A severe storm set in over Trojan Field just as both teams began pregame warmups. Consistent lightning strikes around the stadium for the next hour postponed the 7 p.m. kickoff until just after 8:30 p.m.
A 17-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Wilkes gave the Vikings an early 7-0 lead, but Bruce answered with an 80-yard interception return by Latrell Marks early in the second quarter to tie the game at seven.
North Pontotoc QB Trey Jolly connected on a 45-yard strike to Greg Gambrel in the closing minutes of the first half to take a 14-7 lead into the halftime locker room.
The second half started shortly after 10 p.m. and it was the Trojans making the first big play.
A few plays after recovering a muffed punt in Viking territory, Jamar Brown raced 21 yards up the middle for a Bruce touchdown. Tyler Donovan’s extra point clanged off the upright, keeping the Vikings in front 14-13.
The game deciding play would come after a defensive stand by the Trojans. Marks scooped up the football on a bad snap that eluded the North Pontotoc punter and carried it five yards into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.
The two-point conversion failed for a 19-14 Trojan lead with just over three minutes to play.
Utilizing their timeouts, North Pontotoc had two more possessions before the end of the game, but both times failed to earn a first down.
The Trojans will take their 1-0 record on the road next week to Potts Camp.