Big play Falcons overcome Trailblazers

GRAY — Volunteer had big plays out of offense and in the kicking game to defeat a determined a Daniel Boone team on Friday night at Nathan Hale Stadium. Bryton Landry had a 48-yard touchdown run and Jordan Reed combined with Kenyan Maxwell on a 49-yard touchdown pass in the second half as the Falcons scored a 30-20 victory in the season-opener for both teams. Mykah Lucas, Dru Fleming and Brody Rollins had huge individual efforts for Boone. Lucas had a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown, and threw a 53-yard touchdown pass. Fleming had his usual big output for Daniel Boone. He broke free for a 74-yard run in the first half, and had a 40-plus yard run in the second half which set up his 1-yard touchdown run. The teams played through a scoreless first quarter before Volunteer pulled ahead with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Reed and Maxwell. The Falcons' special teams came up with the next score, blocking a punt out of the end zone for a safety. Lucas had the pick-six to keep the Trailblazers close and trailing by just two at the half. Volunteer scored on the first drive of the second half with Landry's long touchdown run. Boone answered with Fleming's long run and punch in. After the Falcons blocked the extra point, Reed and Maxwell's long touchdown put the Falcons up by two scores again. The Trailblazers responded with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Lucas to Briton Snyder as the game was 23-20 entering the fourth quarter. Brody Rollins, who had double-digit tackles, intercepted a pass from Reed and returned it to the Falcons' 47-yard line later in the final quarter, but Boone wasn't able to take advantage. Volunteer made the big plays when needed. Facing 3rd-and-14 backed up at its 9-yard line late in the fourth quarter, Reed completed a 15-yard pass to Hayden Grisgby to keep the drive alive. Bryson Christian broke free on a 64-yard run down the left sideline to get the ball to the Boone-5. Bryton Landry carried the ball in the end zone the next play for a touchdown. Volunteer 30, Daniel Boone 20 Vol 0 &emsp;&emsp;9 &emsp;&emsp;14 7 &emsp;&emsp;— 30 Boone 0 &emsp;&emsp;7 &emsp;&emsp;6 &emsp;&emsp;7 &emsp;&emsp;— 20 Second quarter V — Kenyon Maxwell 9-pass from Jordan Reed (Conner Williams kick) V — SAFETY (punt blocked out of end zone) B — Mykah Lucas 63-interception return (Judah Jackson kick) Third quarter V — Bryton Landry 48-run (Williams kick) B — Briton Snyder 53-pass from Lucas (kick blocked) V — Maxwell 49-pass from Reed (Williams kick) Fourth quarter B — Dru Fleming 1-run (Jackson kick) V — Landry 5-run (Williams kick)