It’s been a trying season on the gridiron for both Caldwell County and Trigg County.
The Wildcats, at least, had two early-season wins before injuries took their toll on the team’s season. The Tigers, meanwhile, entered Friday night’s 139 Bowl showdown in Princeton winless through nine games.
With one team guaranteed to improve its fortunes, it was Caldwell that got off to a quick start on their home turf. The Tigers rode that momentum to a 41-7 triumph over Trigg, giving Caldwell’s its first win of the season.
The Tigers, who had kept a good attitude and had shown improvement throughout the year despite an 0-9 worksheet, got 190 yards and three touchdowns passing from Luke Parker while improving to 11-0 all-time in 139 Bowl games against Trigg.
Gus Fox caught six passes for 152 yards and two scores and also had a touchdown rushing as the 2023 Tigers avoided being the first team in school history to go through a regular season without a win.
Caldwell, which has had its offensive struggles this season, scored touchdowns on all four of its first-half possessions to take a 28-7 lead to halftime on what was both Hall of Fame Night and Senior Night at Tiger Stadium.
Caldwell needed just two plays to hit paydirt on its first series. Parker hooked up deep with Fox for a 44-yard scoring play just 4:44 into the contest. Sutton Ritchey kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 — just the third time this season the Tigers have held the lead in a game.
On Caldwell’s next possession, it took seven plays to go 45 yards. Parker’s 18-yard TD pass to Luke Maddox helped make it 14-0 with 1:14 left in the opening stanza.
The Tigers took just four plays to cover 78 yards on the next series. Parker again found Fox deep behind the Trigg defense on a 61-yard touchdown play. Ritchey’s third-straight PAT made it 21-0 — Caldwell’s most points in a game this season — with still 9:54 remaining in the first half.
Trigg began to find some footing with its run game on its next drive. Starting from their own 10, the Wildcats used 11 plays — all on the ground — to go 90 yards and find the end zone.
Quarterback Davaree Gude rambled the final 45 yards to the end zone to get the visitors on the scoreboard. Brody Renfroe booted the point after to make it 21-7 with 3:33 left before the break.
The scoring run was part of a yeoman’s effort by Gude. Gude toted the ball 32 times for 211 yards in the contest, but Trigg was held to just the one score.
Caldwell countered Gude’s run when Maddox scored on a 25-yard carry with 1:02 left in the half. That helped the Tigers take a 28-7 lead to halftime.
Trigg controlled the ball for much of the second half — and led time of possession for the contest 32:48 to 15:12 — but Caldwell had already built its cushion.
The Tigers were held to just 68 yards in the second half after putting up 224 in the first two quarters. But
Caldwell still managed a pair of fourth-quarter scores to put the game away.
Fox scored on an 8-yard run with 7:01 to play. Trigg blocked the extra point, but Caldwell still led 34-7.
Eli Stevens intercepted a Trigg pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown with 5:23 left to put the finishing touches on Caldwell’s win.
Maddox had 49 yards rushing for the Tigers and also caught three passes for another 39 yards.
Parker completed 10 of 14 passes as Caldwell finished with 190 yards in the air and 102 on the ground for 292 total.
Trigg ended the night with more yards, at 296. Besides Gude’s big night rushing, the Wildcats got 90 yards on 21 carries from Joshuan Bridges. Peyton Williams caught five passes for 46 yards.
Trigg totaled 250 yards on the ground and 46 in the air.
The Wildcats had more first downs, 17-12.
Caldwell forced three turnovers while not giving the ball away in the contest.
Jack Roach had a huge night for the Caldwell defense. He had an interception and a fumble recovery to go along with 19 tackles.
Cooper Mobley added 11 stops for Caldwell while Maurice Seals and Garner Stallins each recorded 10 tackles.
The victory gave Aaron McClung his first win as Tiger head coach.
Caldwell County will take on Owensboro Catholic next week in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Aces are 10-0 after winning at North Hardin 37-14 Friday night. Owensboro Catholic is averaging 47 points a game this season.
Trigg County did not qualify for the Class 3A playoffs. The Wildcats end their season with a 2-8 mark.
