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photo by Marcus Frazier
Trinity’s R.J. Fleming races past Adams County Christian defenders Ethan Rymer (62) and Jodeci Barksdale during Friday night’s match up between the cross-town rivals.
Trinity wins grudge match
Published Saturday, August 30, 2008
NATCHEZ — What was supposed to be a healthy cross-town rivalry between Trinity and Adams County Christian came down with a severe case of yellow fever Friday night.
The Saints came out the 54-14 victors in a sloppy, ugly game that featured 22 penalty flags and three ejections.
The tenor of the game sapped the excitement and enthusiasm from the night and when it was over, there were very few smiles to go around.
Trinity out gained ACCS 487 to 87 but committed 15 penalties for 168 yards, which drew the ire of coach David King.
“We were about as un-crisp as any team I’ve ever coached and I really don’t have anything good to say about it to be honest,” King said. “We were not in control of ourselves and I’m utterly disappointed in the way we played. It was an ugly football game.”
When the yellow penalty flags weren’t flying, Trinity’s speed was way too much for the ACCS defense to handle.
R.J. Fleming almost single-handedly beat the Rebels, scoring three rushing touchdowns and running a punt back for a touchdown as well.
Video
Trinity coach David King discusses his team's play during the Saints win over the ACCS Rebels. Watch »
“R.J. is the real deal for them,” ACCS coach Paul Hayles said. “When you’ve got a weapon like that you sure hope he stays healthy because he makes plays. Everybody on that team is working to be at his level. He’s by himself.”
Fleming wasted no time putting his footprint on the game.
After quarterback Givonni Dent found Kent King on a touchdown pass to cap the Saints’ first drive, Fleming got his first touchdown run of the night on a 10-yard gallop midway through the first to put the Saints up 13-0.
ACCS cut into the lead after Jodeci Barksdale intercepted a Dent pass and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown but Fleming would take the momentum back with an 18-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter.
Trinity kept up the pressure in the second quarter when Dent found Brandon Daggs open for a 26-yard touchdown midway through the quarter.
Fleming then set up Trinity’s fifth touchdown of the game with a weaving 44-yard run that was supposed to be a halfback pass.
Fleming reversed his field twice before rambling down to the 13-yard-line.
King scored on the very next play to give Trinity a 35-7 lead with 2 minutes remaining in the half.
Fleming capped off his great night in the third quarter.
He scored on a 2-yard run to end Trinity’s first drive and then returned a ACCS punt 34 yards for a touchdown.
“We got a lot of plays in and have a lot of speed on offense,” Fleming said. “All of us were real tired. Us skill people just made stuff happen.”
Daggs capped off Trinity’s scoring with a 31-yard gallop late in the third quarter.
With most of the scoring out of the way, the fourth quarter turned ugly.
Both teams combined for numerous personal foul penalties in the final stanza and three players were ejected — Barksdale for ACCS and Daggs and King for Trinity.
The only scoring came from ACCS, when Colin Dollar hit Daniel Guedon down the sideline for a 42-yard score.
Neither coach was very keen on talking about the final quarter, but Fleming said it’s all part of a rivalry.
“It was a tough game,” Fleming said. “Everybody was all intense about it. It’s a cross-town rivalry, you’ve got to expect that kind of stuff.”
Comments
Posted by topper (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The game was for sure out of hand. For those who dont know it was egged on by the fine Trinity coaches. All my respect is now gone. The comments heard out of their mouths
Posted by sandyman7 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Certainly this wasn't a game to BRAG about..Just from reading the paper 168 yards and two ejections,,, Where were the COACHES of this game????? And the last sentence in the article made by the STAR of the game,,,really????
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My, my, Topper. You are so out of touch. You know that Trinity can do no wrong! Just ask the Natchez Democrat.
Posted by topper (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My bad ........... I tell you what that is the first highschool game I have seen when so many flags thrown at one time.... That is when the refs should have kicked some players out. The had the man almost on the track still trying to tackle him with facemask in several of their hands. He is lucky he did not get hurt. I was sitting on the Trinity side saw it heard it. Dont go to school there was visiting friends. For the record I am from out of town
Posted by 68a (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone sounds like they need to go to class more often, and learn teamwork. Never liked them or the people who attended.
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why were the players ejected?
Posted by Craig (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Never in my life have I seen a so called "Coach" stoop as low as Trinity's Friday night. Trinity school should be appauled at what transpired last night out on the field and it came directly from their coaches mouth! I feel an appology is in order and a little soul searching is as well. If you have to belittle someone by calling them names that I will not even mention Coach then just what kind of coach are you again??? Ohhh thats right a coach that has lost alot of respect in the community from different school's players and parents. I never hesitate to support another school for their coaches and players but now I am shaking my head today thinking your not the Coach I thought you were. It's pretty sad that a negative light like this has been shed on last night's game and to think the Coach's at Trinity did it?????
Posted by topper (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was the headmaster there last night? I totaly agree with you Craig. Not real sure Dr Carey will believe it coming from an AC family. SOmeone from another school or Trinity needs to inform her. I worry about what tha JV game between Trinity an AC Thursday night will lead to. To intentially belittle and trying to hurt other players. " you go out there and you take some of you former team mates out: Fourth quarter Trinity winning what was the point of that. "you got seven minutes left I want you to give them Hell" Then the flags started, So yes I blame the coaches
Posted by LucilleMcGillicutty (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So what exactly happened?
Posted by topper (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The lack of sportmanship, Trinity coach calling our black kid a Ni###r. The intentional personal fouls from the trinity players at the instigation of their coaches. The face mask. Come on that could brake someones neck. Trinity had 2 players ejected and AC had 1. The were taunting him calling him the n word and one of them was black. Seven minutes left in the game and Triity winning by 30 points and their coach telling them to give AC hell, dont let up. I have never seen so many flags on one play. It was like a 40 yard penalty. We are very luck no fight after the game
Posted by ericstratton (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how do you know it was egged on by the THS coaches, I have a hard time believing King or any of the THS coaches would use the " N" word to refer to one of those kids
Posted by Gee (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes!!! Lack of Sportsmanship... I'm glad that noone was was hurt. Not sure how they wasnt hurt. Trinity shameful. What kind of education are they getting? Lets see if we can hurt someone for the rest of their life? Have that on your mind the rest of your life. And I was seated on Trinitys side. Had to get up and leave
Posted by Craig (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All I can say is mutliple people heard it...not just one. At times I don't think coaches realise just how loud they are while shouting out plays and what have you.......
It was almost one of those moments where you look at the other person and are like...I know he didn't just say that! Don't win a ball game by taunting another person in such means. I would much rather lose a game with class than win being dirty and un-cooth! If that is the kind of leader Trinity wants for their boys then you don't have much of one.
Posted by ntz155 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so glad so many people are coming to AC's defense. On other message boards they are stated that one of AC's players started all of this. The truth is it started when one of the Trinity coaches yelled out an ethnic slur to one of the AC players! Of course he got upset. I am totally ashamed that Trinity is even in the same city that I live in. I know Trinity fans that were so embarassed by Trinity's behavior that they actually got up and left. The worst part was when THREE Trinity players had the facemask of an AC player and drug him out of bounds and to the track. ALL THREE OF THEM!!! One of the Trinity's coaches even said that AC still has it's starters in, so I am leaving mine in. This was said when someone suggested letting some of the others play. They were winning 54 to 14!!! What a sportsman he is....I no longer have any respect for you or your team.
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any school but Trinity and all of this would be front page news. The ND promotes Trintiy and their stupid May Fair promoting the drinking of alcohol -- all in the good of education. I have no problem with the alcohol but don't put it in the paper.
Posted by lnsdq0408 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GO SAINTS!!!!
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ntz155, you are obviously an Accs parent. No one except the kids on the field really know who started it, and I doubt that ANY of them would admit, "hey, yeah I started all the trash talk". This happens at ALL games, and you know it. It's just worse (or more noticable) when it's a cross-town rival.
Soor Losers or Poor Winners--neither makes it better. Grown ups egging it on now certainly doesn't make it better.
The game is over. ACCS lost. Trinity Won. Better luck next year.
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
scarlettohara,my son played in that game,and the crap our kids put up with from trinitys players and coaches,you have no right or anyone else on here to put our team down or to be a smart as.. it just goes to show just how great our school is compared to trinity.. at least our team didn't lower their standards to trinity, GREAT JOB ACCS FOOTBALL TEAM,YAW SHOWED THEM,YAW ARE MORE MATURE THAN THEY WILL EVER BE!!!!!!!!!i believe they should fire king and expel any football players that were involved in this. A GROWN MAN CALLING A TEENAGE BOY THE N WORD,THAT SHOWS HOW CHICKEN SH?? HE REALLY IS,CALL A GROWN MAN THAT SEE WHAT HAPPENS. TRINITY YAW STINK. now with that said, GO MY REBEL BOYS , GO REBELS, YAW ARE THE BEST..........
Posted by StuWhoMoved (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously none of ya'll ever played football. The words used on the field/ sidelines is not cussing or slurs. I had a coach once explain to me that it is all just football LINGO! I personally know Coach King and Coach Hayles and have for a long time. They are both men among men and if there is a problem they will work it out between theirselves like reasonably adults. All the rest of us just need to stay out of it.
Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i was at the game and it was a hard played game....football is a contact sport....the trinity boys work hard to get where they are now....all accs wants to do is whine....the trinity saints rules the football fields. what did the ac boys think would happen after they started egging the saints on...trinity saints rule.as far as the n word..that never happened...just more of accs lies
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
King says that "he can't comment on how the game got out of hand." Or is it that he WON'T comment? Come on and just set the record straight. If he is a man among men as SWM says, then lay it all out on the line. At least don't give us that typical coach talk -- yada, yada, yada -- tell us what really happened. You can tell from the body language of the coaches that it was all Trinity. Hayles restrained himself to really tee off on Trinity. King had that "hand in the cookie jar " look on his face.
Posted by ericstratton (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dragonflyday, you obviously graduated from ACCS as exhibited by your "Hee Haw" rhetoric and lack of grammar.I bet you would like for Trinity to fire King so AC could hire him. By the way, what is a "yaw" ? I bet your kid dreams each night of playing for THS
Posted by lnsdq0408 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO SAINTS!!!!!!
Posted by Gee (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG. I guess You had to be there.
Posted by Gee (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG! Guess you had to be there to see for yourself
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ericstratton,why you care about my grammar on here,are you the grammar police,as for king,he did call our football player the n word,TRINITY STILL STINKS, i can't believe you are that dum, don't know what YAW mean. the only way trinity could win is by playing dirty. REBELS HAVE CLASS AND TRINITY IS TRASH. LOL.....GO REBELS. hossfly king was like a deer caght in the headlights,lol.
Posted by ericstratton (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dragonfly,yes I am the grammar police. By the way you're comment is full of spelling,punctuation, & syntax errors.Throw some extra tires on the top of your trailer, theres some bad weather coming this way. Yaw is'nt in the dictionary(it's a big book with lots of words in it that tells you their meaning)
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ES: Get off of DFD's back. Why don't you go plan for the Trinity May Fair and see how much alcohol ya'll can comsume all in the good of raising a buck so ya'll can recruit a few more football players.
Posted by 68a (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh goodness, you're like a junior high gossip girl ericstratton, grow up.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's good to know, Hoss, that AC folks don't drink..lol. Why do you continue to have such a huge chip on your shoulder when it comes to Trinity? Get over yourself!
Whatever transpired at the game, the outcome was a sound beating of the AC team. Case closed. Best of luck for the remainder of the season to AC...and I really mean that.
Dragonfly, you give AC parents a horrible name. The kids are more mature than you. You say Trinity is trash? Look in the mirror and you'll see the TRUE definition. You're shameful and disgusting!
Posted by Gee (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How inmature. These were kids. And yall Are What?
Posted by ericstratton (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoss and Dragon, I hear the MayFair is real fun for the kids and parents alike,I don't think they have alcohol there however.If they do maybe they can borrow some of your stills and cornmash.Oh yeah 68a, I heard something about you...
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ES: They have a program for kids during the day and the alcohol flows at night for the parents. The irony is that the ND reports every negative thing that happens at Natchez High but they promote Trinty May Fair with the alcohol. I realize this is a private school but just don't mention the alcohol in the ND.
Posted by getalifenatchez (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've never lived anywhere where people are so divided.
You've got the supposedly hicks against the snobs and vise versa. People need to get a grip, and realize there is a much bigger world out there than two little rinky dink schools fighting over who has the best football team. Natchez can be so much more than a bunch of idiots calling each other names, and making crazy accusations. Moving somewhere else is looking more enticing to me all the time.
Who gives a rip if alcohol is served! At least they are not running around hiding in the closet drinking it---God sees you everywhere! People, try to unite and get along.....good grief.......
Posted by ericstratton (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoss,this is my last word on the subject; It's an adult night which is a fundraiser for the school. THS buys an ad promoting the event which includes alcohol,food,raffles,etc.In my opinion, I've never seen the ND overly promote THS, but if you feel they do then so be it and we can move on.
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
did i piss off afew people lol, i love it.
Posted by getalifenatchez (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dragonfly, grow up and get a life...... I feel sorry for your
kids if you are bringing them up to behave like you do. The redneck mentallity of this town is what brings it down. We need a good public school system, which will never happen (It's more than a white/black issue) --- so in turn we need one strong private school as opposed to two weak ones. When I read garbage as I do on many of the ND's blogs, it makes me wonder how Natchez will ever progress and move ahead.
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ES: Moving on!!
Posted by boo (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so what about the adult night and alcohol. noone makes you drink it. it's my understanding that another well known school in the area also has an "adult night" in the fall and they serve alcohol. maybe you should go for yourself, relax, and have fun! some of you are right, we need a better public school system, but we dont! so for some, private school is the only option. thats why most people leave this area!!
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There really is no deal except the hypocrisy of the ND and their criticism of the Natchez public schools and their glorification of Trinity. The problem with the alcohol is the affinity between its presence at a school sponsored function and a school with students as young as five years old. It is Trinity's choice to have it but the ND should not write articles promoting its presence at these functions. In the relative sense, Trinity is a private school as compared to Natchez public schools but in the absolute sense, they are still both schools. The ND gave Natchez High a black eye over the debaclce of the stolen goods which had nothing to do with the school. Then they had the audacity to try to justify it. For once they should have admitted they screwed up. I have appointed myself the great "equalizer." This means that since the ND is critical of the public schools but tip toes around any issue with the private schools, then I will make a big deal about these issues with the private schools which tells you that I really don't have a lot going on!!!!
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
getalifenatchez is what you need to do, how is it i'm being at fault here, i didn't call our football player the n word. a grown man did,and his name is king,you have no clue of what happen at friday night football game. ALL THIS BOILS DOWN TO THE FACT PEOPLE LIKE YOU DON'T WANT THE TRUTH BEING TOLD,CAUSE YAW... KNOW THE TROUBLE IT COULD BRING TO TRINITY. IF YOUR SCARED SAY YOUR SCARED, AND YES IF RAISING MY KIDS THIS WAY KEEPS MY KIDS FROM ACTING LIKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU,THEN I'M DOING GREAT. IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHERE YOU LIVE THEN MOVE,GO AND DON'T COME BACK,THIS TOWN WANT LOSE NOTHING WITH YOU GONE .REDNECK AND PROUD OF IT. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY.
Posted by lnsdq0408 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GO SAINTS!!!!!
Posted by getalifenatchez (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dragonfly: Do you expect me to waste my time arguing with you??? I've got much bigger "fish" to fry... I have no affiliation with either school. I have no children attending either school. I am not partial to ACCS or Trinity---could care less.... I'm just appalled at all the name calling and bickering... I love where I live, don't get me wrong, but people like you with your type of intellect make me cringe.
What is a "YAW"??? How about "Y'all"! I have a hard time believing Coach King said the horrible word he is being accused of.....
Posted by oldguy (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't know if anyone has posted it since I have not waded through all the posts, but I personally saw that the AC coach had to come onto the field after the teams had passed lines post game, get physical control of his ejected player, and escort him away from the other team and over to his team huddle. It looked like he was still trying to get something going. The face mask violations occurred on both sides though the officials and apparently a lot of the fans seemed to not see many committed by one team, (you figure it out).
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One player from AC instigated every incident, when he left, the incidents stopped.
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ericstratton,my tires on my trailor are rolling off, my duck tape is coming off my windows, and i have 5 kids that need a place to stay,whats your address so i can bunk with you.lol
Posted by topper (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
reader---the one AC player got ejected an two from Trinity and it still continued. I was there and saw the video. CDK and CMM CRW WE have all lost respect for you. It was youf fault not the coaches
Posted by oldguy (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure do wish I could figure out who the three sets of initials in topper's post belong to.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IF THE COACHES WERE INVOLVED IN THIS CONFLICT WHY WASN'T THAT IN THE STORY?
Posted by johnny1nut (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard trinity is recruiting from Jefferson County next year. They might find that 25 year old senior they have been looking for.
Posted by hossfly (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YHH: The reason it was not in the story is because the ND thinks that Trinity is God's gift to football!!!!
Posted by concernedNTZcitizen (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG... NO ONE is better than the other. Both schools stink when they poo just like the rest of the world. Some just have the decency to take the bad smell into consideration and deodorize.
On a serious note! Regardless of who was winning, who won or who lost. That kind of behavior is NEVER acceptable. For kids or adults. The coaches should have stopped it.
I agree on the comment about the last quarter. When you have won the game, you don't have to rub it in their face and that is exactly what the Trinity coach did. Otherwise he would have pulled back full force.
Shame on all of you coaches. Most of these kids are friends with each other and now, you may be causing another Jena issue.
I will show you a N"""". Look it up in the dictionary people. It has nothing to do with color. Some do take it to heart, but I know lots of N's that are black and WHITE. For instance, the people who allowed this mess to continue on the field.
God Bless you all.
Posted by johnny1nut (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 5:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its obvious trinity has some issues. When you have to recruit black kids because the white boys just can't do it by themselves. Lets face it Natchez football is not the most important thing in the world. Grow up people focus on an education and not your athletic program.
Posted by thatguy11 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i dont know what yall are all complaining about both teams suck and as soon as they play a real team that has more than 28 people on their team and win then they can brag until then they BLOW
Posted by thatguy11 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
as an added comment i too had to leave the game after seeing those terrible displays of sportsmanship. Even if the AC player was egging them on they should have been the better persons and not strung him out by his face mask onto the track.
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