Troy’s explosive start buries Irvine

Troy's Spencer Hayes, left, fumbles the ball as he get hit by Irvine's Logan Dory during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Draytwoine Shaw tries to escape from Irvine's Logan Dory during Friday night's game at Fullerton High.
Troy fans react on a play during Friday's game against Irvine at Fullerton High.
A young Troy fan waves a t-shirt during Friday's game against Irvine at Fullerton High.
Troy fans pose for a photo during Friday's game against Irvine at Fullerton High.
Troy players break a banner before Friday's game against Irvine at Fullerton High.
Irvine's Jonathan Garcia (6) extends himself as he tries to catch a high pass during Friday's game against Troy at Fullerton High.
Troy's Raul Lemus, bottom hits Irvine's Curtis Jackson during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.
Irvine's Ethan Dossett (23) and Dakota Potter (18) tackle Troy's Draytwoine Shaw during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Moe Mamlouk shows his exitement after a fumble recovery touchdown by Brett Ferguson during a game against Irvine at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Josiah Norwood throws a pass during a game against Irvine at Fullerton High on Friday.
Irvine's Harold King, second from left, looks for a hole to run during a game Troy at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Skyler Taylor, left, celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during a game against Irvine at Fullerton High on Friday.
Irvine's Ethan Dossett (23) tackles Troy's Ryan Scotti during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Skyler Taylor, left, runs away from Irvine's Ben Roznos during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.
Irvine's Joseph Carter throws a pass during a game against Troy at Fullerton High on Friday.
Troy's Josiah Norwood sprints down the line past Irvine's Austin Hwang during a game at Fullerton High on Friday.

October 2, 2015 at 11:48 p.m.

FULLERTON – Troy used its powerful and diverse running attack to pick up a much-needed victory over Irvine, 42-14, on Friday night at Fullerton High.

The Warriors (3-2), coming off a loss to Valencia, scored 26 points in the first quarter and went on to beat the Vaqueros (3-2) for a boost before starting league play next week.

Healthy for the first time since Week 0, Troy running back Dray Shaw scored on the third play from scrimmage, a 6-yard run preceded by a 31-yard burst and a defensive facemask penalty.

On Irvine’s ensuing possession, Troy defensive back Brett Ferguson returned a fumble behind the line of scrimmage 6 yards for a score.

Troy quarterback Josiah Norwood later scored on a 33-yard run, and Skyler Taylor gave the Warriors an early four-touchdown lead with a 39-yard TD run.

Irvine awoke in the second quarter, however, quarterback Joseph Carter connecting first with Jonathan Garcia on a 17-yard touchdown, and later with Curtis Jackson on a 6-yard score.

Troy extended its lead to 29-14 with a field goal in the third quarter.

The Warriors added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

– BRIAN WHITHEAD