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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It’s all hands on deck for the Troup Tigers.

In what is an unfortunate sign of the times, Troup will be short-handed for Friday’s home game against Shaw because some players will be quarantined because of Covid-19 issues.

“We’re trying to push through it, and give folks a chance to play,” said Troup head coach Tanner Glisson. “It’s tough at the moment.”

Troup’s opponent is a Shaw team looking to build on its first win of the season.

After starting 0-4, Shaw beat Jordan 37-8 last week to improve to 1-2 in Region 2-AAAA.

Troup (3-3 overall) has won three consecutive games, and it ran its region record to 3-1 with a 49-0 road win over Kendrick last week.

“(Shaw is) very talented, and with some of the holes we’ll have to fill in for Friday, you don’t know,” Glisson said. “You have to approach every game like it’s huge, because it is, especially when you’re down a few players. We’ll push through it and get our guys ready to play. We’ve had a good week.”

While it’s never ideal to miss players, Glisson does feel the Tigers are as well-positioned as they can be to make up for the losses.

“That’s one reason why you push your number twos really hard,” Glisson said. “And we’ve had a chance the past few weeks because we’ve been up in the second half to get them in, and not just run the ball up the middle, but run our offense, run our defense. We do that because of times like this.

So we’re probably in better shape than most teams depth-wise.”

It is an important game for the Tigers as they look to strengthen their hold on one of the region’s four state-playoff spots.

It is an important game for the Tigers as they look to strengthen their hold on one of the region’s four state-playoff spots.

Troup and LaGrange, who play on Nov. 13, are tied for third place in the region at 3-1, while Carver and Hardaway are at the top with 4-0 region records.

“We just need to go out and get another win Friday, and get better doing it,” Glisson said. “Our guys are excited, and we’re ready to play. Other than the quarantine situation, we’re healthy, so that’s a positive.”

Troup has been rolling the past three weeks.

After beating Spencer 42-0 for its first win of the season, Troup thumped Columbus 53-14 before beating Kendrick 49-0.

In the Kendrick game, freshman quarterback Taeo Todd continued to thrive, completing 6-of-7 passes for 125 yards with three touchdowns while also running for 113 yards on just three attempts.

A.J. Tucker had two touchdown runs, Javari Fannin and Navontae Moss each had one touchdown run, and Anthony Ferguson ran for 85 yards on four carries.

Senior wide receiver Marquavious Kelley had a big day with three catches for 90 yards, and he had two touchdowns.

Navelle Dean, who has had a breakout sophomore season, had three catches for 36 yards with a touchdown, and Andrew Townsend and Chase Childs each had two catches.

Troup’s defense was dominant, holding Kendrick to 72 yards while forcing five turnovers.

Senior defensive back Jace Godwin had nine tackles with one for loss, and Qua Moss had seven tackles including one for loss with an interception.

Jordan Adams contributed five tackles including two for loss with a fumble recovery, and Qua Birdsong had four tackles with one for loss.

Kullum Irvin had an interception in the end zone in the second quarter that helped keep the shutout intact.

The interception came moments after Kendrick’s Tyler King ripped off a long run and was tackled at the Troup 2-yard line.

“The defense is playing real well,” Glisson said. “They had one bust. Then we got a timeout and didn’t do anything but tell them to get re-focused and did well.”

One of Troup’s most effective defensive players has been Birdsong, a freshman defensive lineman who was playing middle-school football a year ago this time.

Glisson has enjoyed watching Birdsong and senior defensive lineman Royce White, who has committed to Memphis, tangle in practice.

“Just watching he and Royce White get after each other every single day in practice is fun,” Glisson said. “It’s amazing to see what that kid may turned into in two or three years.”

As for White, Glisson said “he enjoys the competition. It’s really a great battle between a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old.”

TROUP VS. SHAW

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Callaway Stadium

RECORDS: Troup (3-3 overall, 3-1 in Region 2-AAAA); Shaw (1-4 overall, 1-2 in Region 2-AAAA)