Gabe Stark
Reporter

The Trenton Bulldogs put together a competitive effort on the road Friday, Sept. 4, but came up short in a 12-7 loss to Fayette. The game featured encouraging performances on both sides of the ball as Trenton continued its search for its first win of the season.

Trenton kept Fayette off the scoreboard for the final three quarters and used a long touchdown run from Bradly Miller to close the gap in the second half. However, the Bulldogs could not overcome an early 12-point deficit.

Fayette established its lead in the opening quarter, scoring a touchdown early in the period and adding another near the end. The two scores gave the home team a 12-0 advantage and left Trenton needing to find an answer on offense.

The Bulldogs prevented Fayette from adding to that lead in the second quarter, but Trenton also remained scoreless. Fayette carried its 12-0 advantage into halftime, with all of the game’s points to that point coming in the opening period.

Trenton finally broke through in the third quarter when Miller raced 69 yards for a touchdown. The extra point brought the Bulldogs within five at 12-7, putting them one touchdown away from taking the lead.

That set up a fourth quarter with the outcome still undecided. Trenton continued to keep Fayette out of the end zone, but the Bulldogs were unable to add another score of their own. The third-quarter touchdown stood as Trenton’s only score, and Fayette’s first-quarter points proved enough for the win.

Sam Ledbetter led the Bulldogs’ defensive effort during a game in which they allowed no points after the opening quarter. He finished with 13 tackles, including four solo stops and nine assists.

Camden Skipper also contributed to the defense with eight tackles. Three of his tackles were for losses, and he was credited with a sack, giving Trenton several plays that pushed Fayette’s offense backward. Jace McCall added six tackles, including one for loss, and a sack.

Miller’s touchdown highlighted a night in which he handled much of Trenton’s work on the ground. The senior carried the ball 16 times for 128 yards, averaging 8 yards per attempt. He also contributed seven tackles on defense.

As a team, Trenton finished with 153 yards of total offense, combining 128 net rushing yards with 25 passing yards. Dru Vandevender added 9 yards on two rushing attempts, while Henry Lasley gained 3 yards on his lone carry.

Skipper completed two of eight passes. Jacob White accounted for 16 of the passing yards on one reception, and Ledbetter caught the other pass for 9 yards.

Lasley and Vandevender each added four tackles on defense, while Kolt Mathews recorded three.

The close finish came a week after Trenton opened its season with a 41-15 loss to East Buchanan. Now 0-2, the Bulldogs return home to face Marceline at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Trenton will then travel to Brookfield for a 7 p.m. game Sept. 18.