Bobcats Football Outlast Trimble Tech in 42-34 Opener.

From the pregame chatter to the final defensive stand, Benbrook’s season opener against Trimble Tech had plenty of noise, big plays, and momentum swings.

The Bobcats walked away from Farrington Field with a 42-34 win Thursday night, powered by four touchdowns from Dorien Johnson and an offense that found its stride after falling behind early.

Trimble Tech struck first and led 14-6 after the opening quarter. Benbrook answered in the second when Jaxyn Donart connected with Johnson for his second touchdown, tying the game at 14.

The mood changed later in the quarter when Donart suffered a leg injury during a return following a blocked extra point.

Play stopped as he was carted from the field. Donart later returned to the sideline on crutches with a boot on his right leg. The extent of the injury was not immediately known.

With Donart out, Lucas Davis was back in at quarterback. Quentin Thomas scored on a sweep to give Benbrook its first lead, 21-20, before Trimble Tech answered to take a 26-21 advantage into halftime.

Then Benbrook found another gear.

Davis connected with Johnson for a 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter, followed later by a 63-yard screen that Johnson turned into his fourth score of the night. Benbrook carried a 36-26 lead into the fourth.

Trimble Tech wasn’t finished. A 70-yard run helped set up another Bulldogs touchdown, cutting Benbrook’s lead to 36-34 with 4:56 remaining.

This time, the Bobcats answered for good. Davis led Benbrook down to the 2-yard line before running it in himself for the final touchdown and a 42-34 lead. The Bobcats defense held off Trimble Tech’s last attempt, with Johnson breaking up a final Hail Mary to help preserve the win.

The victory puts Benbrook at 1-0, but the opener also showed where work remains. Missed tackles allowed Trimble Tech to pick up too many yards after contact, while pressure up front made life difficult for Benbrook’s young offensive line.

Still, the Bobcats found ways to answer when they needed them. Johnson led the way with four touchdowns, while Davis and Thomas each added one.

Benbrook heads to Gainesville next Friday for its first road test against the Leopards.