COLDSPRING — Friday night lights shined bright in Coldspring as the Trojans gave their home crowd something to cheer about, their first win of the 2025 season.
Despite a new playbook, a brand-new coaching staff, and the guidance of newly appointed Athletic Director Cody Day, the Trojans showed grit, speed, and unity in a convincing 19–6 victory over the Kelly Bulldogs.
From the opening kickoff, Coldspring set the tempo as the Trojans marched downfield with first down after first down before punching in their first touchdown of the night. The offense never looked back.
The Trojans piled up an impressive 402 total yards, including 364 yards on the ground. Leading the charge was Landon Ellisor with 108 rushing yards, followed by Dacoryin Barnes with 102. T.T. Parker added 54 and Ja’koby Parks chipped in 40. Quarterback David Rowe kept the defense honest, connecting for 38 yards through the air. Kelly managed just one score on the night, while Coldspring’s relentless pace and pounding ground game sealed the win for the home team.
The defense was equally sharp. The Trojans swarmed the Bulldogs, tallying 13 assisted tackles. Jacoby Jackson made his presence felt with two solo tackles, while T.J. Minchew broke through for a powerful unassisted quarterback sack.
This first win wasn’t just about the score, it was about setting the tone for the season. With continued growth, discipline, and that Trojan spirit, Coldspring has the tools to make district play an exciting journey.
The Shepherd Pirates continue to make waves across the region, posting a 30–17 victory over a strong Anderson-Shiro Owls squad on Friday night.
The win not only adds another notch in the win column but also lifts the Pirates to an undefeated 4-0 record on the season, their best start in years.
What makes this milestone even more impressive is that Shepherd pulled it off while missing five starters. That forced younger players to step up, and they delivered. Head Coach Miles Robison praised his squad’s resilience: “We will need a week off to get some people back healthy. But I was proud of the overall team effort to start the year.”
The Pirate offense was firing on all cylinders. Quarterback Landen Dellinger led the way with 17 carries for 85 yards and a rushing touchdown, while also connecting for two passing scores. Workhorse running back Jacorey Davis once again showed his speed and power, racking up 152 yards on just 12 carries and adding a touchdown of his own.
On the receiving end, the “Superman” of Shepherd football, Brayden White, hauled in both of Dellinger’s touchdown passes while racking up 32 yards.
Defensively, the Pirates showed the same tenacity that has carried them through this unbeaten run. Kyler Syracuse anchored the defense with 8.5 tackles, while ballhawk Diego Orozco snagged his third interception of the season, shutting down Owl drives and keeping momentum on Shepherd’s side.
The Pirates now head into a much-needed open week to recover and regroup. When they return to the field, it will be at home against the Diboll Lumberjacks on the first Friday in October. Though Diboll isn’t a district opponent, the matchup will serve as a true test as Shepherd prepares for the grind of district play.
