The Tigers faced the Gordon Lee Trojans in the first region game of the season with a three game winning streak on Friday, Sept. 20.

The Trojans received the opening kickoff, but a fumble deep in their own territory gives Darlington the ball. Senior quarterback Griffin Brewster completed a pass to senior wide-receiver Trystin Wright for a touchdown. A successful extra-point kick by junior Brinson Sumner puts the Tigers up 7-0 one minute into the game.

Another fumble on Gordon Lee’s offensive drive was recovered by senior safety Kobe Nadu. Back-to-back first downs by senior wide-receiver Hampton Watkins and sophomore wide-receiver Patrick Shelley were followed by a rushing touchdown from senior running-back Kolin Rogers.

A two-point conversion by senior Frank Manning put the Tigers up 15-0 midway through the first quarter. 

“The mood of the game was energetic and exciting, but the hype of the game made it kind of anticlimactic because we dominated them in every aspect of the game,” Shelley said. 

Unsuccessful drives by the Trojans and two touchdowns by Rogers and a reception by Wright in the endzone increased Darlington’s lead to 36-0 at the end of the first half. Another rushing touchdown by Rogers added to the Tigers’ score two minutes into the second half.

A fumble recovery and 25-yard run by senior defensive tackle Tate Ratledge gave him the first touchdown of his high school career, with the Tigers leading 50-0.

“I was really tired and didn’t want to run, but I didn’t really have a choice. When I got in the endzone, I felt some excitement and then realized that I couldn’t breathe,” Ratledge said. 

Another touchdown by freshman running-back Darius Smith finalized the score with the Tigers winning 57-0.

Darlington will face the Mt. Zion Eagles on Sept. 27.