In their final home game and Senior Night the Paulding County Patriots hosted the #3 ranked Carrollton Trojans Friday night at Dave Hardin Stadium in Dallas. Although the score was not as the Patriots hoped, the game itself was much closer than the score revealed. The Patriots came out ready to play and their offense moved the ball well against the top ranked Trojans. The Trojans drew first blood in their first possession going 65 yards in just 6 plays with freshman standout Mecose Todd finding the end zone on a 17 yard run. The Patriots showed their resilience on the ensuing possession taking just 2 plays to travel 80 yards with senior Tre Lewis dashing off tackle for 65 yards to tie the score. The score was tied at the end of the 1st quarter. Carrollton flexed their muscles in the 2nd quarter scoring 2 touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead to the locker room.
The second half saw the Trojans extend their lead to 28-7 taking their first possession and marching 66 yards and junior QB Mark Wright scoring on a 2 yard run. The Patriots responded by going 80 yards in 9 plays with Malik Branch scoring from 3 yards out off right tackle making the score 28-14. The Patriots defense then forced a punt and then the game changing play occurred. With the ball on the Trojan 35 and the Patriots on the move Brantley Mauldin threw a screen pass that was a lateral and the ball bounced up into the arms of Trojan Ladamian Hunt and he dashed 65 yards for the scoop and score putting the game out of reach.
Despite the score the Patriots rolled up 367 yards of offense highlighted by Malik Branch's 124 yards rushing and several tackles on defense. Brantley Mauldin tossed the ball through the air for 214 yards.
The Patriots playoff hopes were dashed with with the loss combined with the Villa Rica defeat of Cass. The Patriots close out their season with their arch rival next week at the Boneyard of the East Paulding Raiders. The game should be a good one with bragging rights on the line.

On Senior Night Malik Branch left it all on the field , here going of right tackle for a touchdown.Senior Tre Burton closes in on a Trojan.Senior Jason Ledford hauls in a pass for a 32 yard gain.Senior kicker Courtney Hahn gets the 2nd half underway.