With the sun high overhead and a home stadium full the Lamar County High School Trojan football team kicked off their 2009 season against Rutland. The game began with a patriotic and exhilarating parachute exhibition by Fort Benning’s official parachute demonstration team – the Silver Wings. The Silver Wings jumped from a reported 5500 feet in tandem cultivating in a delivery of the game ball to Trojan head coach Jason Strickland at the 50 yard line. Dr. Todd Shipp, assistant principal at the high school and an Army lieutenant colonel, helped arrange for the Silver Wings to perform here at no cost to the school system. Shipp is Airborne qualified but did not jump. Says freshman Jimmy Carter, “It was amazing. It was like something you would see in a college game.” And indeed it was as the narrator introduced each jumper and listed their military accomplishments. Following an above average rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner by the marching band the Trojan team took to the field for what is sure to be an exciting match-up. Keep checking throughout the night for quarter-by-quarter coverage and live score updates. Michael Johnson, tailback for the Rutland Hurricanes, scored a 12-yard touchdown with 2:05 left on the clock at the end of the second quarter putting the ‘Canes on the board. The kick was good allowing the visiting team a 7-0 advantage just before the half. Not to be outdone though Trojan Anthony Slaughter (number 8), defensive end, ran for 20 yards breaking through two defensive blocks to put the Trojans back in a strategic scoring position with nearly two minutes left in the half. At five seconds left in the half tragedy struck as Anthony Slaughter fell to his knees in pain and was quickly escorted off the field. Met with applause he sat on the sideline and awaited an exit on a stretcher. The crowd stayed on their feet, the clock fell to two seconds and the LCCHS Trojan squad was retired to the locker room to prep for the second half. Now 7-3 Rutland at 4:19 in third period after 20-yard field goal by Daniel Huggins UPDATE: Lamar’s Anthony Slaughter left for a hospital in an ambulance with what was initially diagnosed as a dislocated elbow. Rutland scored at 7:55 in the fourth. The PAT was blocked. Huggins added another 19-yard FG at 4:14. Now 13-6 Rutland. Lamar driving with 2:35 left. UPDATE:Lamar drove inside the five with Mike Bloodser at QB and brother Maurice Bloodser at TB. Maurice started at QB but Mike was there at crunch time.With his team threatening to tie it up, Maurice Bloodser fumbled away the opportunity inside the Rutland 5. Lamar’s defense held and Rutland took an intentional safety rather than punt from its own endzone, making the score 13-8. Lamar could not mount the last-minute comeback and lost 13-8. The regular season begins two weeks from tonight when Spalding High comes in for the first game that counts at the new Trojan Field.
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