PALESTINE – Troup launched its postseason voyage by dominating Anderson Shiro, 55-0, in a Class 3A-II bi-district affair Friday at Palestine Wildcat Stadium.
Troup, ranked No. 5 in the state, improved to 11-0 with the win.
The Tigers will take on Hooks in the Area round of the playoffs late next week (time, date and location to be announced)
Hooks cruised past Lone Oak, 47-10, in its bi-district game Friday.
Brett Wells will remember Friday’s game for a long time.
The junior running back was pressed into duty as Troup’s starting quarterback – Josh Childress did not dress out for the game – and he answered the bell splendidly.
Wells ran for four touchdowns and threw for two more scores.
Highlighting his night was a 93-yard scoring run that came 2:51 to go in the first half and made the score 27-0 at the time.
With 5:01 to go in the third stanza, Wells got loose on the outside once again, as he peeled off a 69-yard touchdown trek.
Wells ran for a pair of scores that covered three yards each to give the Tigers a 13-0 advantage after one quarter of play.
The Maroon and White enjoyed a 34-0 halftime after James Pierce latched onto a 28-yard scoring strike from Wells with :55 left in the first half.
Cam Hollie etched his name on the score sheet by hauling in a 31-yard touchdown pass – he also ran for a 15-yard touchdown early in the second stanza.
Troup’s final points of the night came with 1:41 left in the game.
That’s when Aidan Thibideaux raced into the end zone from 28-yards out.
Anthony Zuniga made good on 7 of 8 points after touchdown attempts.
The Tiger defense overwhelmed the Owls and allowed Anderson Shiro a net of 39 total yards.
On the flip side, the Tigers amassed 413 total yards in the first half alone, with 371 yards coming by land.
The Owls end their season with a 4-7 record.