Sophie B. Wright opens with road win over Collegiate Baton Rouge

When you take your game on the road, it is all about focus and handling a business trip. That is the approach Ken Dorsey had his Sophie B. Wright squad take Thursday in Baton Rouge.

The approach and the execution paid off as the Warriors downed Collegiate Baton Rouge 20-8 in the season opener for both teams.

The Dolphins took an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring off a turnover on a scoop-and-score and made the 2-point conversion and that stood up for the halftime score.

The second half belonged to the Warriors.

In the third quarter, Avante McKinnis scored on a 10-yard run and it 8-6 after the failed extra point attempt.

The defense then came up big for Sophie B. Wright as senior Dallas Hughes intercepted a pass to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Bryan Jackson. Hughes ran in the 2-point conversion and the Warriors had their first lead at 14-8. Hughes then topped off a terrific night, returning an interception 60 yards for a score to account for the final margin.

Hughes had two interceptions and ran 30 yards for a touchdown and had the 2-point conversion at quarterback. Hughes added a fumble recovery and five tackles.

“We started off slow, falling behind on the third series of the game,” Dorsey said. “It was all defense and punting in the first half. We had a couple of touchdowns called back on penalties. It was a big ugly, with a lot of penalties and sloppy. We are pleased with the win and excited that we are 1-0 but there is a lot to clean up.”

The Warriors return to action next Saturday afternoon against Jefferson Rise Charter at Morris Jeff Stadium.

“We will make quick adjustments,” Dorsey said. “The main thing is to clean up the penalties. We were without our starting quarterback Paul Chester, who was in concussion protocol. We hope to have him back next week.”

Collegiate will travel to New Orleans to take on Abramson next Friday afternoon.