Game Recap: Broome 30 TR 21

Travelers Rest's Region 3 AAA opener against Broome was played on a windy Thursday night at Chico Bolin Stadium last week. The game was rescheduled from Friday to Thursday due to Hurricane Ian posing threats to upstate areas of South Carolina. Broome took the victory 30-21 but the Devildogs could have taken a win if not for two first quarter mishaps which led to a two touchdown lead and forced TR to play catch up.

Broome converted a TR fumbled pitchout to a 40 yard two play scoring drive which was capped a ten yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. A strange punt, later in the opening quarter, paved the way for Broome to take another cheap score. After being held to three plays and a punt, The Devildogs punted from their own 20 yard line however the kick went straight up and straight down giving Broome excellent field position at the TR 20. Broome drove 20 yards on two plays and scored on an 18 yard screen pass for a 13-0 lead. Take away those two key events and TR would have won 21-17 but could have's don't show up in the win - loss columns.

TR rebounded by driving 71 yards on only five plays and scored off of a 44 yard run by Donaldson. After a failed two point conversion effort TR trailed 13-6.

Broome answered the TR score by driving 64 yards on 12 plays to the Devildog red zone. TR defenders stopped the threat cold with a pass interception at the two yard line. TR quarterback Caleb Mills avoided a fierce blitz from Broome defenders and drove the team out to the 30 yard line after a ten yard pass play to Gavin Baker. After a six yard loss, TR was forced to punt from the short side of the field giving Broome excellent field position once again. Broome mounted a drive to the TR seven yard line and scored on a seven yard run for a 19-6 advantage.

TR immediately started another drive which started from their own 39 yard line and ended with a one yard touchdown run by Donaldson. Mills passed for the two point conversion and closed the gap to 19-14 with 1:18 left to play in the first half. Broome threatened to score by driving to the TR 16 yard line but the TR defense stopped the effort at the eleven as the first half closed.

After three plays and a punt in the opening series of the third quarter, TR was forced to punt from the twenty yard line but a fumbled snap from center gave Broome great field position once again gave Broome a first and goal at the TR four yard line. A Broome holding penalty pushed the visitors back to the 19. A TR sack of the Broome quarterback pushed the Centurions back to the 29 hash mark. Broome bounced back to the TR 10 where they faced fourth and goal. A TR offsides penalty made it a fourth and goal situation from the five yard marker. TR defenders ended the threat at the spot when Broome attempted a field goal and the effort failed, giving TR the football at the twenty yard line.

After driving out to the 40 yard line Broome took over on downs at the 42. TR defenders forced a Broome fumble and recovered at the 40. The two teams exchanged punts several times and the third quarter ended with Broome on top 19-14.

The Centurions scored on the first play of the fourth quarter off of a 47 yard touchdown romp aided by several broken tackles. Broome was successful on the two point conversion and took a 27-14 lead.

TR took the ensuing kickoff and mounted a successful scoring drive which was capped by a twenty five yard touchdown pass play. TR closed the gap to 27-21 with 6:39 left to play.

Broome was determined to get those points back and make it a two score difference. The Centurions took the ensuing kickoff and returned to the TR 49 yard line. Five plays later Broome was knocking on the door at the TR 1. But TR defenders pushed them back and Broome faced a fourth and goal from the 25. The Centurions ran the clock down to the two minute mark and sent the field goal unit on the field and booted the three pointer for a 30-21 score.

TR's final series resulted in three incomplete passes against fierce blitzing defenders and a quarterback sack. Broome took over on downs on the TR 26 yard line and killed the clock with a series of quarterback knees to secure the win.

TR fell to 3-4 overall with the loss and more importantly 0-1 in the region while Broome improved to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the region. TR travels to 2-5 Carolina on Friday while Broome takes on Blue Ridge which had the week off last week.

UNOFFICIAL STATS

TR: Pass Attempts 27; Pass Completions 14; Passing Yards 143; Interceptions 0. Rush Attempts 24; Rushing Yards 91; Fumbles - Lost 2-2; Total Offense 234 Yards. Number of Plays 51.

Broome: Pass Attempts 18; Pass Completions 9; Passing Yards 159; interceptions 1. Rush Attempts 40; Rushing Yards 171; Fumbles-Lost 2-1; Total Offense 330 yards. Number of Plays 48.

REGION THREE-3A

Results: Chapman 42 Carolina 0; Blue Ridge IDLE; Broome 30 TR 21. THIS WEEK TR at Carolina, Blue Ridge at Broome, Chapman IDLE.

Standings - 1. Broome 1-0 4-3; 2. Chapman 1-0 3-4; 3. Blue Ridge 0-0 3-3; 4. TRAVELERS REST 0-1 3-4; 5. Carolina 0-1 2-5.