A second half explosion propelled the Saints to a perfect 3-0 start on the season as they claimed a homecoming victory over the visiting Smith County Owls, 34-8.
The game was nip and tuck during the first half after the Saints took the lead with 3:21 to go in the first quarter as quarterback Briz Trapp hit Josh May in the endzone for a touchdown. Workhorse back Colby Barnes then barreled through Owls until he reached pay dirt, giving his squad an early 8-0 lead before the homecoming crowd.
The Owls evened the score after a short Saint punt, kicked from their own endzone. The Smith County quarterback took advantage of the field position and went 20 yards on a quarterback keeper, the conversion making it 8-8 at 5:47 of the second quarter.
Trapp immediately went to work on the next drive, hitting May for a 35 yard gain. The big pass sent up Barnes who pounded his way up the gut of the defense for a 19 yard touchdown to give his team a 14-9 halftime lead. However, the lead could have been even bigger if not for a penalty on what would have been a 101-yard pick-six as May intercepted a wobbly Smith County pass and returned it all the way for a touchdown. A personal foul behind the play sent it back.
The play, in the end, did not hurt the Saints as they dominated the second half, allowing no more Owl points while putting up 20 more of their own.
The win leaves the Saints perfect as they traveled to Trousdale County Tuesday for a key conference matchup.