Troup seniors shine in final game

Published 1:45 am Wednesday, December 2, 2020

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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

In his final high-school game, Troup High’s Marquavious Kelley delivered a memorable performance.

Kelley is listed as a wide receiver, but in a run-oriented offense, the coaches have found other ways to get him involved.

Kelley had a long touchdown run in the regular-season finale against Carver, and he had two more scoring runs in Saturday’s 42-35 playoff loss to Benedictine.

Kelley had a 65-yard touchdown run in the first half, and he added a 52-yard scoring run in the second half.

Kelley only carried the ball four times in the game, but he led the team with 136 yards while averaging 34 yards per attempt.

“He probably had his best game tonight,” Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said.

Two other senior offensive standouts also finished their high-school careers in style.

Navontae Moss had a 58-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and he ran for 83 yards on seven attempts.

Senior running back Anthony Ferguson had a 65-yard touchdown run, and he had 118 yards on 10 carries.

WHAT A SEASON: Quarterback Taeo Todd capped a fantastic freshman season with another big game.

Todd ran for 65 yards on 15 carries, and he also completed 4-of-5 passes for 46 yards.

Todd ended up with nearly 1,500 rushing yards in 11 games with 11 touchdowns, and he also threw for more than 700 yards with five touchdowns.

Todd will return to lead Troup’s offense next season, and Glisson believes the program is in good hands.

“I think with him taking snaps, we’ve got a chance over the next few years to do something special,” Glisson said.

GETTING INVOLVED: Before Saturday’s playoff game, linebacker Jake Lane served primarily as a blocker, but he became a central part of the offense against Benedictine.

Lane, who had zero receptions coming into the game, caught four passes for 46 yards from Taeo Todd.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Three seniors came through with big games in their high-school finales.

Jace Godwin, a senior defensive back, led Troup with 11 tackles.

Zy Varner, a senior linebacker, added eight tackles, and senior defensive lineman Christopher Hilton had eight tackles with six for loss, and he had a sack.

Glisson was proud of all the seniors who gave it their all.

“All of those guys played extremely well,” Glisson said. “I’m proud of them. They put it all out on the line.”

PERFECT NIGHT: Cody Bray, Troup’s outstanding junior place-kicker, got plenty of opportunities to attempt extra points in a game with a lot of points, and he didn’t miss.

Bray was 5-of-5 on extra-point attempts, and his kick in the third quarter gave Troup a 35-34 lead before Benedictine rallied for a 42-35 win.