DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Trojans claimed the 2016 Baldwin Middle Football Championship with a 22-8 win over the Pirates at Jubilee Stadium Oct. 27.

Daphne scored first on a run by Jordan Powell with 72 seconds left in the first quarter. The try for two points attempt failed.

Fairhope answered on their second drive of the second quarter when De'Andre Matthews broke through for a 55-yard touchdown run and Cyline Koen added the conversion run for an 8-6 Pirates lead at the half. The Fairhope score was set up with an interception by Luke Wilkinson.

The Trojans defense recovered a fumble at the Pirates 10-yard line and DMS reclaimed the lead 14-8 five minutes into the third period on a 10-yard TD run by Joe Hall and a 2-point PAT run by Tyler Bradley.

Turnovers and three-and-punt series stymied drives by both offenses down the stretch until Daphne extended the lead with 2:52 left in regulation.

On third and 15, DMS reached into the archives and executed a classic throwback screen pass from Powell to quarterback Trent Battle for a 39-yard TD. Battle's keeper tacked on two more points for the final score.

Daphne finished the county-title year at 8-0 while the Pirates wrapped up their campaign as county runner-up (5-3) with two losses to DMS and one to 2015 champ Foley.