TROJAN FIELD — The leaves on the trees beyond Gaylesville's visitor stands haven't yet changed colors.

Sort of like the Trojans. The team's record is uninspiring, and most of the players are still green. They are only four seniors on the roster. Yet, with a foundation of gritty play and blossoming youth the overall picture of Trojan football, like the trees in the distance, will get more spectacular with time.

They may have taken a step toward that future Friday night, crushing Coosa Christian 40-13.

The night belonged to one of the few Gaylesville seniors, John David Jennings. The 147 lb. powder keg rushed for a staggering 338 yards in the Trojans' first win of the season.

Gaylesville established their dominance in the game's first minute, scoring on the third play from scrimmage. Jennings conspicuously darted into the same hole on the left side on every play.

Gaylesville coach Brian Clowdis later confirmed that the left-side matchups were indeed part of the game plan.

“We thought we could exploit that,” Clowdis said. “We were going to run to the left.”

Junior Cole Murphy's extra point gave the Trojans a 7-0 lead before some fans had even found their seat on the concrete bleachers.

After a failed drive by the Conquerors, Jennings was at it again, scoring this time on a 26-yard run at 5:07 left in the opening quarter. Murphy's boot pushed the score up to 14-0.

After every Trojan score, a local company shot off fireworks the quality of which is rarely seen at small-school Alabama high school football games. Seemingly every time, the smoke would barely clear before Gaylesville was on the board again.

Four plays after their previous score, Gaylesville's Dylan Mitchell returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to stretch the Trojan lead to 21-0 after Murphy's kick.

By this time, it was obvious that the person with the most unenviable job of the night, besides Coosa Christian defenders, was Gaylesville cheerleader Brittney Partridge. For every point the Trojans scored, she performed a push-up. Jennings made sure her arms got little rest.

With 4:43 left in the half, Jennings again broke through the line for a 16-yard touchdown scamper. Murphy's extra point set the score at 28-0. Gaylesville would take that lead into the locker room at halftime.

As fans took to the concession stand for deep-fried Oreos, Coosa Christian coaches pondered how to revive their offense. The adjustments they made seemed to work. The Conquerors would find the end zone twice in the second half.

On its first drive, Coosa Christian senior Austin Mills rushed seven yards off right end for the score. After a failed point-after attempt, Gaylesville's lead was trimmed to 28-6 with 7:06 remaining in the third.

Sophomore Ben Mills would tack on the Conquerors only other score early in the fourth quarter with a one-yard plunge over the left side.

The Conquerors' conquests weren't enough to overcome Jennings and company. The man of the night added a third quarter touchdown on an eight-yard rush.

Fullback Dylan Mitchell capped off another drive with a two-yard plunge to the scoring. Reserves played out the game's final 10 minutes without crossing the goal line.

Coach Clowdis praised offensive linemen Daniel Williams, Seth Dawson, Levi Teague, Will Callan, Dylan Cavin, and Gable Lawson. He also noted his team's determination in spite of their overall record.

“I'm proud of the effort,” Clowdis said. “When you're 0-4, you could kind of hang it up, but they have not.”
This week the Trojans (1-4, 1-3) host Jacksonville Christian for homecoming.