ROSWELL, GA. — Troup County’s magical season came to end Friday in a 51-35 loss to Blessed Trinity in the Class AAAA state semifinals.

The score was 14-6 early in the second quarter, but Blessed Trinity scored three touchdowns before halftime to increase its lead to 34-12 at the break. The Titans overcome a second-half Troup rally and pulled away late to put the game away. 

“We just got out of our run fits,” said Troup County High School head football coach Tanner Glisson. “That’s a good running back [Blessed Trinity senior Steele Chambers]. He’s going to Ohio State. He’s a good player, and we had trouble tackling him. Then, when we tried to bring an extra man down in the box, they hit some play action. They’re a very well coached team. There’s a reason why they won the state championship last year, and have now won 14-in-a-row this year. Hats off to them, they did a great job.”

The Tigers would not let the season come to an end without a fight, however.

After sneaking in a touchdown reception with seven seconds remaining in the first half, King Mwikuta blocked a Blessed Trinity punt, and the Tigers began their second drive of the third quarter on the Titans’ 25-yard line. On the first offensive play of the ensuing drive, the Tigers scored a touchdown and converted the two-point attempt to cut the lead to 14.

After Blessed Trinity tacked on a field goal, Troup County stayed on the comeback trail. Quarterback Kobe Hudson scrambled into the end zone at the end of the third quarter to make the score 37-27 heading into the final frame of the night.

“They fought hard,” Glisson said of his players. “They came out, and they gave everything.”

Blessed Trinity scored another touchdown to open up the fourth quarter to push its lead to 44-27.

Troup County drove down the field, but a dropped pass, a common theme for the Tigers on a rainy night.

Blessed Trinity scored on the second play of the ensuing drive to push the lead to 51-27 with 8:34 remaining.

Troup County coaches, and players alike, continued to encourage the team, and the Tigers’ offense responded again.

Troup County scored one final touchdown, and converted the two-point conversion, with 5:34 to go in the ball game.

Blessed Trinity’s running attack wouldn’t allow Troup to regain possession for the rest of the night, with a steady flow of first downs running out the game clock.

The players, coaches and parents from Troup County were overcome with emotion after the clock hit triple zeros. 

Glisson gathered his team after the game to remind them of how far they’ve come.

“You think about that senior class, and they went from being 1-9 to playing in the semifinals,” Glisson said. “That’s unheard of. The turnaround that they’ve provided this community, and this school is really impressive. Because of them, we’re built for future success, and we’ll be back.”