TROJAN FIELD — Rain fell in Gaylesville Thursday night, but the lightning didn’t come until Friday. In a game that was over soon after it started, Ragland’s electric offense routed Gaylesville 40-14.

Coming into the contest, Ragland had outscored opponents 154-25 with their heralded ground game.

“We were going to stop the run, make them throw it,” Trojan coach Brian Clowdis said of his defensive strategy going into the game.

The first two plays from scrimmage followed script, as swarms of Gaylesville defenders stuffed Ragland backs. Then junior Purple Devil receiver Jimmy Brock took over. On the third play from scrimmage Brock scampered past the Trojan defense and hauled in a 57-yard strike, the first of his four touchdowns on the night. Ragland led 6-0.

“Big Play” Brock then promptly intercepted Trojan sophomore quarterback Cole Murphy’s pass. Ragland looked well on its way to notching another early score, marching to the shadow of the Gaylesville end zone. Then junior Trojan end John David Jennings led an inspiring goal-line stand. His tackle on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line stalled the powerful Ragland attack.

Any hope the Gaylesville faithful had of beating the No. 9-ranked Purple Devils would soon be dashed. Ragland would score four touchdowns in the second quarter alone.

Sophomore KiJana Lindsey’s 8-yard snare, Brock’s majestic 22- and 74-yard receptions and senior John Mark Mintz’s barreling one-yard plunge gave Ragland a comfortable 33-0 halftime lead.

The second half began much as the first one ended – with Ragland in the end zone. Gaylesville, who at that point still hadn’t gained a first down, was forced to punt on its opening possession of the third. Brock fielded the punt and streaked like electricity, 48 yards for the touchdown. The Purple Devils led 40-0 and cruised into the fourth quarter with many of their reserves.

As Gaylesville fans emerged from the rubble in the wake of the potent Ragland attack, their team revived. On their first possession of the quarter, Gaylesville sophomore back David Sanford sprinted off right tackle 11 yards for a touchdown, capping an eight-play, 54-yard march. After a failed conversion, the score stood at 40-6.

The Trojans took advantage of the momentum swing on the next play from scrimmage. Sophomore Dylan Mitchell returned a Ragland fumble to the Purple Devil 35-yard line. Eleven plays later Jennings scampered five yards up the middle for the touchdown. Murphy’s two-point conversion off right end posted the night’s final score at 40-14.

His players’ late-game surge prompted praise from Coach Clowdis.

“We were playing hard at the end,” he said. “It’s a reflection of the players that they’ll play hard when the game’s not good.”

This week, Gaylesville (1-4) travels to Spring Garden. Ragland (4-0) hopes to continue its winning ways at home against Akron.