Royals edge Patriots in home opener.

From BleckleyProgress.com

High School Sports
Royals edge Patriots in home opener.
By Dave Whitaker
Aug 27, 2021, 23:30

Players run on the field led by the flag birgade.

Friday was a big night in Cochran. Not only was it the home opener for Royals football, it was also the first game played in the remodeled Royal Stadium. While fans in attendance surely like things such as the new concession stand and restrooms, they loved the result of the game.

Tyler Wilcox upends a Patriots player.

Wilcox struck on the first play from scrimmage with a long touchdown pass. The point after failed. After not being able to move the ball on their first two offensive possessions, a big defensive play gave BC the lead.

Markeze Brown with a tackle.

Quintatvis “Scooter” Slappy forced a fumble and returned it 45 yards. With 5:38 left, BC led 7-6. TJ Mays had a 20-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds left as the lead grew to eight.

Jaden Mobley drags a defender with him.

The Patriots answered in the second on a two-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal from the two. With 7:14 left in the second, WC had closed to within 14-13. That was the score going to halftime. In the third, Jahvon Butler had a couple of big plays.

TJ Mays scores.

Butler had a 56-yard run to the Patriot seven. His 12-yard run put Bleckley up 21-13. The Royals appeared poised to start another scoring drive when Slappy blocked a punt and recovered it on the Patriot 32.

Nehemiah Mack tries to wrap up a player.

But the Patriots forced a rumble and returned it 77 yards. The point after was blocked. The Royals suffered a loss in the third quarter when James Teston went out following a hard hit. BC’s defense stepped up.

Dykes Pharmacy and Needle N/A Haystack were Friday's game sponsors. Representing them was Jessica Fordham along with sons Benji and Carson. They're pictured with Joe Ward.

In the fourth, the Patriots had driven to the Royal 42. Areilus English picked off a pass at the Patriot 10 to stop the drive. BC got the Patriot 30 but couldn’t go any further. However, the Patriots never didn’t cross into Bleckley territory again.

The Dazzlers show off their kick line. This year's halftime show is entitled "Rock and Roll."

Aided by a couple of penalties by Wilcox, BC was able to run out the clock and win 21-19. Butler rushed for 163 yards on 19 carries. Mays had 54 yards on nine carries.

Jahvon Butler scores.