Tallulah Academy is carving out an identity as a slow-starting team. It’s also becoming one that finishes strong.

Walker Sullivan scored four touchdowns, and the Trojans scored 30 points in the second half as they routed Claiborne Academy 44-14 on Friday.

Tallulah only led 12-6 at halftime, and 18-12 in the third quarter, before blowing the game open by scoring four unanswered touchdowns. Last week, Tallulah was tied 6-6 at halftime with Delta Streets Academy before winning 22-12.

Sullivan scored on runs of 12 and 31 yards in the third quarter, to go along with his touchdown runs of 22 and 25 yards in the first half. He finished with 158 rushing yards on 13 carries and caught two passes for 60 yards.

Paul Michael Machen and Carter Sullivan also scored one touchdown each for Tallulah (3-0). Carter Sullivan, Walker’s twin brother, finished with 105 rushing yards on only five carries, and had seven tackles on defense. Carter Sullivan also ran in a pair of two-point conversions in the third quarter.

“It was the same as last week. We started off slow as all get out,” Tallulah coach Bart Wood said. “Our defense is playing super. We just stalled and had some stupid penalties. They came out the second half like a different team. They took care of business, were laying licks and doing everything else.”

Tallulah (3-0) will host MAIS Class 2A power Manchester Academy next Friday in its first true home game of the season. The Trojans have played two games in Mississippi because of COVID-19 restrictions in Louisiana, but those were finally eased this past week.