Jakobe Bridges had two touchdowns, including a punt return, for Trigg County Friday. (Ashlyn Brown photo)
On a night when Trigg County’s offense was anything but, their special teams were special in a 51-28 win at Hopkins County Central Friday.
The Wildcats returned the opening kick for a touchdown and later added a punt return for a TD and blocked a punt that set up another Trigg score after the Storm had pulled to within a single touchdown.
For most of the night, a steady rain fell throughout the game, and the Wildcats had trouble running the football. They managed just 28 yards in the first half and had less than 100 yards until midway through the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Cam Jordan completed 11-of-28 passes for 188 yards and added 57 yards rushing for the Wildcats.
Trigg County opened the game when Jaquellus Martin returned the kick 62 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats added their only offensive score of the first half when Jordan hit Jakobe Bridges on a 20-yard fade route. Daniel Martin added the second of his seven extra point kicks to put the Wildcats ahead 14-0.
Hopkins Central set up their first touchdown with a long kick return. Michael Powell scored on a 25-yard run to pull the Storm with within 14-6. Powell finished the night with 86 yards on 20 carries.
On the Storm’s next possession, they punted back to Trigg County. Bridges took the punt, shook two tacklers and hurdled a third on his way to a 57-yard return for a score.
Riley Stallons would add a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown to put the Wildcats ahead 28-6.
Trigg County led 28-12 at halftime despite getting outgained 169-157 in the first two quarters. The third quarter was a muddled mess for the Wildcats, who were called for eight penalties – including four pass interference flags. Trigg finished the game with 17 flags for 136 yards but none in the fourth quarter.
A fumble by Trigg deep in their territory set up a Storm touchdown and pulled them to within 28-20 with 6:46 left in the frame.
The tide turned at the end of the third quarter when Storm quarterback Jackson Bergant fumbled a snap and was tackled in the end zone for a safety.
In the fourth quarter, Trigg County put the game out of reach with three touchdowns in a five-minute span. It started with an Alex Curling blocked punt.
Jordan scored on a 1-yard run and connected with Kyron Grubbs on a 15-yard scoring pass. Bridges closed out the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown run. He finished with 55 rushing yards and had a three catches for 65 yards.
Silas Kington finished the scoring for Hopkins Central on a 62-yard run. The senior finished with 133 yards on nine carries.
Trigg County sacked Bergant five times and pressured him into an 8-for-34 passing night for 79 yards.
The win was Trigg County’s ninth in ten career meetings with Hopkins Central (3-5).
Trigg County (5-4) closes out their regular season Friday at home with Union County. A win by the Wildcats make them the No. 3 seed in the district and would mean a first round playoff trip to LaRue County, who lost to Elizabethtown 42-14.
