High School Sports

By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer

GLADEWATER -- Elysian Fields began its season in perfect fashion, winning the opener.

However, it didn't come easy.

The Class 2A ninth-rated Yellow Jackets withstood a strong upset bid to defeat Troup, 21-7, in the Kickoff Classic finale Saturday night at Jack V. Murphy-Bear Stadium.

Elysian Fields (1-0), which reached the state final last season, needed two second-half touchdowns to prevail.

Yellow Jackets star running back Joe Benefield finished with 136 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He played quarterback most of the second half, due to starter Jed Crisp leaving with a knee injury.

Benefield scored a pair of touchdowns after the injury, both from short distance, in the third quarter to give Elysian Fields breathing room. His other score came on the first drive of the game when the Yellow Jackets appeared ready to dominate.

However, Troup (0-1) provided enough grit to make sure that didn't happen. Tigers running back Cody Lepelley finished with 112 yards rushing on 24 carries.

On that first drive of the game, Benefield took the opening carry 62 yards down the field and barreled through the Tigers defense to set the Yellow Jackets up at the 18. Only two more plays were needed for the game's first lead, as Benefield pummeled the Tigers for an 18-yard touchdown run with 5:49 remaining in the opening quarter.

Though the Elysian Fields offense proved it could dominate at times, it couldn't repeat such a feat during the rest of the half. Benefield finished the half with 102 yards on 10 carries, 78 of which came on the scoring drive.

The Tigers evened the game at 7-7 with less than two minutes remaining before halftime thanks to quarterback Ryan Nichols' 5-yard touchdown run. The sophomore fumbled the snap before quickly recovering the ball, darting around the left edge and diving toward the pylon in successful fashion.

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Kickoff Classic

At Jack V. Murphy-Bear Stadium

Elysian Fields 21, Troup 7

Troup 0 7 0 0 -- 7

Elysian Fields 7 0 14 0 -- 21

First Quarter

EF - Joe Benefield 16 run (Santos Duran kick), 5:49.

Second Quarter

TRO - Ryan Nichols 5 run (Patrick Alonzo kick), 1:46.

Third Quarter

EF - Benefield 7 run (Duran kick), 5:33.

EF - Benefield 3 run (Duran kick), 1:07.