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For the second year in a row, Bruce is undefeated heading into Region 2-2A play.

After last season’s hot start fizzled into a 1-4 finish with no regions wins in the second half of the season, the Trojans are hoping lessons were learned and the outcome isn’t repeated.

“We had about the same core guys that are playing now,” Bruce coach Chuck Darbonne said. “We made a lot of mistakes in the second half of the year that hopefully we’ve learned from. We’ve improved in our efficiency on offense, and we’ve definitely gotten better on defense.”

The Trojans (5-0) put their unbeaten record on the line Friday at Water Valley to begin region play.

Bruce has proved itself multi-dimensional. Quarterback Joshua Long has completed 40 of 68 passes for 718 yards, 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

“He sees stuff that we’re not able to see, and he’s able to translate that to me,” Darbonne said, “and we have very talented skill players, to spread the ball around.”

Long has three primary targets, all with at least 175 receiving yards. Senior tight end Cayden Jones has 17 catches for 331 yards and six touchdowns; Jermaine Jackson has 14 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns; and Ayden Welch has eight catches for 175 yards and two scores.

On the ground, three rushers have at least 242 yards, led by freshman Jakobie Hatchett, a second-year starter. Hatchett has 36 carries for 316 yards and five touchdowns.

Long is the team’s second-leading rusher with 265 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. He is averaging 10.2 yards per carry.

Senior James Fred Gaiter has a team-high 47 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns. J.D. Glaspie has 22 carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

All that production is there despite a lot of the skill guys not playing the second half of three of the five games. The Trojans are averaging 29.2 points per game.

Defensively, mostly everyone plays both ways. Senior Tylan Eacholes is again Bruce’s best player on that side, even after moving from defensive end to middle linebacker this season. Jackson has four interceptions at defensive back, including one returned 98 yards for a touchdown.

This time last season, Bruce started having trouble getting off the field on third downs and closing out games.

“You can tell there’s a difference in the way they’re playing,” Darbonne said. “They’re playing faster, more physical, and obviously we need to take that and translate that into those district games like we did not last year.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

For the second year in a row, Bruce is undefeated heading into Region 2-2A play.

After last season’s hot start fizzled into a 1-4 finish with no regions wins in the second half of the season, the Trojans are hoping lessons were learned and the outcome isn’t repeated.

“We had about the same core guys that are playing now,” Bruce coach Chuck Darbonne said. “We made a lot of mistakes in the second half of the year that hopefully we’ve learned from. We’ve improved in our efficiency on offense, and we’ve definitely gotten better on defense.”

The Trojans (5-0) put their unbeaten record on the line Friday at Water Valley to begin region play.

Bruce has proved itself multi-dimensional. Quarterback Joshua Long has completed 40 of 68 passes for 718 yards, 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

“He sees stuff that we’re not able to see, and he’s able to translate that to me,” Darbonne said, “and we have very talented skill players, to spread the ball around.”

Long has three primary targets, all with at least 175 receiving yards. Senior tight end Cayden Jones has 17 catches for 331 yards and six touchdowns; Jermaine Jackson has 14 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns; and Ayden Welch has eight catches for 175 yards and two scores.

On the ground, three rushers have at least 242 yards, led by freshman Jakobie Hatchett, a second-year starter. Hatchett has 36 carries for 316 yards and five touchdowns.

Long is the team’s second-leading rusher with 265 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. He is averaging 10.2 yards per carry.

Senior James Fred Gaiter has a team-high 47 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns. J.D. Glaspie has 22 carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

All that production is there despite a lot of the skill guys not playing the second half of three of the five games. The Trojans are averaging 29.2 points per game.

Defensively, mostly everyone plays both ways. Senior Tylan Eacholes is again Bruce’s best player on that side, even after moving from defensive end to middle linebacker this season. Jackson has four interceptions at defensive back, including one returned 98 yards for a touchdown.

This time last season, Bruce started having trouble getting off the field on third downs and closing out games.

“You can tell there’s a difference in the way they’re playing,” Darbonne said. “They’re playing faster, more physical, and obviously we need to take that and translate that into those district games like we did not last year.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos