Battle for the Bridge Friday

The annual Battle for the James C. Nance Memorial Bridge shapes up at Floyd West Field Friday night at 7 p.m.

Both teams are coming off losses last Friday night.

But you can throw out the records in this rivalry game that is entertaining every year.

“Our guys need to go play from the start,” Purcell Head Coach Tracy Scott said. “We’ve got to understand they consider us a rival and they’re going to give us their best game. Plus, they are better than their record shows.”

The Bulldogs are very multiple on offense operating out of anything from a spread to a two back set to unbalanced.

“They line up in all kinds of stuff,” Scott said.

Defensively, Scott thinks Lexington will employ a 3-4 defensive alignment.

“But they ran a four man front against us last year,” Scott said.

Last Friday night at Conger Field Purcell came up just short once again losing to Community Christian School, 28-21.

A late drive to tie the score was stuffed with an interception inside the CCS five yard line.

All three of Purcell’s scores were passes off the arm of Kody Kroth. He opened the scoring with a 29 yard strike to Mojo Browning. Kroth hit Hayden Harp for a two yard touchdown and tossed a five yard scoring ball to Titus Mason.

Kroth was 24-30 for 332 yards but was touched for three interceptions.

Mason led the receiving corps with five catches for 127 yards. Creed Smith grabbed nine aerials for 104 yards. Browning caught seven passes for 87 yards.

“Mojo played well,” Scott said. “Actually, we had quite a few kids play well. Payson Purcell ran the ball well and Creed Smith and Hayden Harp caught some good balls.

“Titus Mason made some good runs,” Scott continued. “Everyone contributed.”

But it was on the defensive side of the ball where some monstrous games were turned in.

Sam Wofford was all over the field up front making tackle after tackle.

“It’s hard to believe but he made 27 tackles,” Scott said. “He’s a man of little stature but sure does play with a big heart.

Johnny Marquez was not far behind Wofford making 19 tackles at defensive end.

“That’s what you get when the other team runs it 64 times, you make a lot of tackles,” the coach said.

CCS only put the ball in the air six times all night.

“Creed Smith had quite a few tackles and Jose Ochoa played well along with Jaysen Shea,” the coach continued.

Scott also pointed to the consistency of kicker Cale Walker.

“He’s been consistent all year and that’s a huge deal for us,” Scott said.

Dragon notes:

Purcell Head Coach Tracy Scott nominated Sam Wofford as the Defensive Player of the Week.

Wofford was a busy man last week making 27 tackles.

Scott nominated Johnny Marquez as the Defensive Lineman of the Week. He turned in a 19 tackle performance against the Royals.

The Offensive Lineman of the Week nominee is Jaysen Shea, who graded out at 95 percent.

Getting the nod as the Offensive Player of the Week was Titus Mason.

Mason had 127 receiving yards on five catches including a 29 yard scoring reception to open the scoring for Purcell last Friday night.