By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

There was no catching Kobe Hudson.

Troup’s offense had been struggling to find any traction in last week’s quarterfinal game against Cairo when Hudson took a snap in the third quarter from the 20-yard line.

Hudson got to the left sideline, saw nothing but green grass in front of him, and 80 yards later he was in the end zone with a critical touchdown.

“I wasn’t worried about getting caught,” said Hudson, who also threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Joko Willis. “I was going to score.”

It’s been that kind of season for Hudson, who has been a marvel after making the transition to quarterback from wide receiver.

A year ago, Montez Crowe had a record-setting season as Troup’s quarterback, and he did it almost exclusively through the air.

Hudson, on the other hand, has been a two-way threat, leading the team in passing, and rushing.

In the 20-17 win over Cairo that propelled Troup to the semifinals, Hudson completed 7-of-14 passes for 145 yards with a touchdown, and he also ran for 155 yards on 13 carries with his touchdown.

“It was fun,” Hudson said. “I just give all of the credit to my teammates. They played hard. I know they’ve got my back, so I’ve got to have their back. When it’s time for them to make the big play, they make it. When it’s time for me to make the big play, I make it.”

Hudson has been making plays all season.

Hudson has 1,206 rushing yards on 133 attempts, good for an average of nine yards a carry, and he has 16 touchdowns on the ground.

In the playoffs, Hudson has three consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts.

Hudson has also been a prolific passer, completing 158-of-270 passes for 3,152 yards with 29 touchdowns.

Hudson has thrown for at least one touchdown pass in every game but one this season, and only twice has he failed to score a rushing touchdown.

“I give all credit to my teammates,” Hudson said. “I love these boys. I couldn’t do nothing without them.”

ROAD WARRIORS: Troup will be on the road for today’s game against Blessed Trinity, and that’s nothing new.

After hosting Oconee County in the first round, Troup went on the road to beat Pickens County and Cairo the next two weeks.

“That was two weeks in a row we beat a region champion, on the road,” Glisson said. “So, it’s been good to us. These guys are battle-tested. They don’t mind being on the road.”

BEST EVER: With last week’s 20-17 victory over Cairo that secured the program’s second trip to the semifinals in the history of the program, Troup won a school record 12th game.

Last week’s win also made this the best three-year stretch in the history of the program.

Since the start of the 2016 season, Troup is 29-7, surpassing the 28 wins the team secured from 2001 to 2003.

Troup has also won back-to-back playoff games for the first time, and the team is one victory away from earning a first-ever spot in the state-tite game.

“It’s very special,” said senior Alonzo Ogletree, a senior defensive back. “We’re one of the top teams in Troup history. We’re breaking records and everything.”

REGION VS. REGION: One thing is certain in Class AAAA.

The state champion will come from either Region 7-AAAA, or Region 5-AAAA, since the four remaining teams come from those regions.

Troup, which finished second in Region 5-AAAA, will take on Region 7-AAAA champion Blessed Trinity.

Cartersville, the champion of Region 5-AAAA, will host Region 7-AAAA runner-up Marist.

“You’ve got four really good teams,” Glisson said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if any of the four won it.”