The nation’s top receiver Julio Jones (Foley) was on display, and his courageous effort helped propel the Lions over the Trojans for the first time in 10 years. You knew the best player on the field on this night. Jones garnered all the attention while scoring touchdowns, special teams play and even taking two big penalities for the night.
The game started with Daphne receiving the opening kick. The offense couldn’t get much going the first two downs of the drive. Auburn commitment Reggie Hunt was given the ball on third down and was punished by Foley safety Robert Lester.
All eyes were on Julio Jones as Foley’s offense took the field. The first play was a screen pass to Jones where he muscled his way for eight yards. Foley elected to go for it on fourth with quarterback Devin Smith hitting Jones in the end zone for 30 yards in double coverage. The touchdown gave Jones his eighth of the season.
Daphne began their second possession at the 10-yard line. Quarterback Coley White’s first and second carry go for negative yards. Hunt showed his quickness and elusiveness on third down going for over 10 yards. He got drilled by Jones who was playing safety, but was tagged for a late hit as he took Hunt out of bounds. His incredible strength, power and energy for the game brought out the yellow flag and chain moving yardage for Daphne.
Robert Lester intercepted White for the first time of the night, and Daphne’s defense stepped up on this series to slow the Lions' offense. The first quarter ended with Foley up 7-0.
White took a deep shot to wide open junior receiver Trenere Johnson on the first play of the second quarter. The pass was overthrown as White got drilled.
Foley junior defensive tackle Isaiah Thomas (5-10, 240) made two big plays in a row setting up third and long for Daphne. White hits Antoine Green for a 33-yard gain inside the 20-yard line.
Hunt made several great runs and was brought down hard again by Jones who was tagged for a 15-yard face mask penalty. A few plays later Daphne got on the scoreboard as fullback Aaron Ayers busted in the end zone from two yards out.
Lions' quarterback Devin Smith tried moving the chains by going to their five-star receiver, but Daphne defenders (Will Stringer and Chaz Cottrell) were prepared in double coverage throughout the night.
White put together a few nice runs on Daphne’s next possession, but Lester continued to pound the talented quarterback.
White finally broke loose for 43 yards and another Trojan touchdown. The run was spectacular as White cut across the field after not finding an open receiver. The score was White’s sixth rushing touchdown of the season.
Multiple flags were thrown on the following kick-off for personal fouls on both teams. Daphne senior cornerback Phillip Blackwell was ejected from the game for his participation in the penalty.
Foley drove down the field, and Jones made a big catch on third down as Smith was drilled when he released the ball. Jones carried four defenders with him gaining additional yardage after the catch. Jones lined up as a quarterback the next three downs. After failing to get in the end zone Foley kicker George Santa Maria kicked a 26-yard field goal.
Daphne recorded 157 yards of total offense in the first half compared to 101 yards for Foley. Foley recorded 52 passing yards, all to Jones.
The half ended with Daphne 14 and Foley 10.
The second half began with Jones not in the game and looking doubtful to return. Jones suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter. He was heavily taped and began walking back to the locker room at the beginning of the third quarter.
Foley senior running back LaVance Mitchell (5-8, 195) may have outshined all players as he was the power runner for the night. He started the second half with several strong runs, but the Lions struggled and would have to punt the ball to Daphne.
The game went back and forth between the two teams. The home crowd at Ivan Jones Stadium returned to their feet as Jones came back to the sidelines at the 4:53 mark ready to go back in the game.
Jones showed toughness and leadership returnung to the game, and his performance for the remainder of the game signified why he is the nation’s top receiver. The third quarter came to a conclusion with the score remaining 14-10.
Mitchell had carried the ball 15 times for 101 yards before going out of the game at the 10:13 mark suffering from heat-related cramps.
Jones dropped a pass in the back of the end zone, but he quickly made up for it. The Foley standout made a great 28-yard leaping catch in the end zone between two defenders. The extra point was blocked as Foley took the lead 16-14.
Foley stopped Daphne’s next possession and hoped to go up another score on the Trojans. Daphne defensive back Chaz Cottrell made a nice hit on Jones on third down forcing the Lions to punt the ball. The turning point of the game was next to follow.
The Lions punted the ball, and as it hit the five-yard line Jones caught the ball in the air on the one inch line with only 2:35 left in the game. Daphne was backed up against their own goal line with 100 yards to go with little time to get there. At least move the ball 70-80 yards to get in field goal range for their kicker.
Foley defensive lineman D. J. Jones and Justin Anderson wreaked havoc on the Daphne offensive line throughout the game. They made two big stops against the Trojans, but on third and long White connected with junior wide receiver Le’Andre Walton for 31 yards with 1:30 left in the game.
Clock management did not work in Daphne's favor as Foley kept pounding. White made several big plays as they progressed down the field, but Lester intercepted with a nice return as time expired on the clock. The home team and fans went into hysteria.
Final Score: Foley 16 Daphne 14
Game Changer: Julio Jones proved the big difference maker in the game. It was obvious when the Lions struggled to move the ball their playmaker and leader was on the sidelines. Jones finished the game with six receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded 126 total yards. His big play on special teams proved crucial in the waning minutes of the game.
Seniors Who Shined: Daphne Quarterback Coley White was sensational on the ground. Foley safety Robert Lester is a big time talent and could see some major schools come knocking on the door. Daphne safety Will Stringer made big plays on the night and proved he could bring the lumber.
Reggie Hunt didn’t have much to work with as Foley’s defensive line was dominant. Hunt did showcase his quickness and speed when he moved past the line of scrimmage. He also proved his strength shredding tacklers.
Quick Facts: Foley’s last win over Daphne was in 1997. A crowd of over 8,000 fans attended the ESPN2 nationally televised game. Former Alabama and Oakland Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler was on hand. Stabler was a former Foley quarterback compiling a 29-1 record as a starter for the Lions.