Ribault HS- All the talk surrounding the game between Trinity Christian and Ribault centered around hype from a year ago. In 2016, the Trinity versus Ribault matchup was cancelled due to the onslaught of Hurricane Hermine on the Florida Peninsula. It was a must see affair that didn’t seem fair to miss, as both squads concluded their seasons advancing deep into the playoffs.Trinity would go on to be crowned the Class 3A State Champions. for the fourth time in a row. Fast forward to this year and both teams are drastically different from a year ago. Trinity graduated several key starters on offense and defense, and is reloading with young and new talent. While Ribault is another year under Head Coach Kelvin Smith returning several key starters on both sides of the ball. The conditions seemed right for a perfect storm, for Ribault to get the best of the four time consecutive state champion. But right away the game would prove that Ribault still had some catching up to do.
The scoring started just about three minutes into the first quarter when Trinity defensive back DB Tyreke Johnson took an interception 11 yards into the endzone for a touchdown. The highly recruited Johnson set the tone of the game early, as his team forced several turnovers all night. Still in the first quarter, Trinity’s DB Nyem Bozeman got into the interception act, picking off Ribault QB Jhammal Marsh again. Yet this time the turnover would not yield any points for Trinity.
The Ribault defense kept their team in the game early on. Down only 7-0, the Trojans defense forced some turnovers of their own, intercepting Trinity’s Austin Thomas on the very next play after Bozeman’s interception. Devon Mathews climbed the ladder and came down with an interception as well. However the Ribault offense just could not get anything going. Marsh seemed hesitant to go down field after two early interceptions, which forced him to scramble away from the Trinity pressure up front. The Conquerors defensive line led by DT Christian Kennedy and NT William Tippens gave the Trojans fits all game. With the line applying pressure, the linebackers were able to roam free to make plays, and that’s exactly what they did. Linebacker Evan McGhee stamped the first half with an interception on a screen pass attempt, and rumbled 62 yards before being tackled deep into Trojan territory. Trinity would add a field goal to go up 10-0 at halftime.
In the second half Trinity would distance themselves from Ribault. The Trojans were unable to capitalize on a big play by DB Jabari Jaudon, who grabbed an interception in the end zone for Ribault just before the half. WR Isaiah Washington had a chance to put Ribault in the game after a nice catch and run deep into Conqueror territory. 
However Ribault would fumble the ball just inches before the goal line and the ball rolled through the back of the endzone for a touch back. It was that type of night for both teams on offense as they combine for eleven turnovers. Trinity attempted to spark their offense by inserting different players at different positions. One of them being Quarterback Winston Sweeting who came over from Westside High School this summer. Sweeting quickly showed his play making ability on the ground, gashing the Trojans defense with runs. Yet Sweeting too was hit with the turnover bug, fumbling twice in the game on promising drives. One of the fumbles was able to bounce in the the hands of a Trinity teammate in the endzone for a Conqueror touchdown to make the score 17-0. Trinity would score again on a long run by running back #5 Dylan Pate to end their scoring at 24 on the night. Ribault would add a score late in the fourth by a Marsh to Javon Williams connection. The two point conversion was successful when Devon Mathews came down with a pass to the back of the end zone, but the damage was already done. The final score, Trinity 24 Ribault 8
Trinity(1-1) has a game against Terry Parker (0-1) next week, while Ribault (1-1) travels to Baker County(1-1). Parker will serve as a tune up for Trinity before a big matchup with Bolles the following week. Head Coach Verlon Dorminey and his leaders did not seem very pleased after their win Friday night. Said Dorminey, ” We have a lot to work on and we have a lot of young players in several positions”. They look to improve even after gaining the victory. After facing Sandalwood and Trinity, Ribault has yet another powerhouse in front of them in Baker. After their humbling performance at home against the reigning state champs, the Trojans look to stand up against the rest of their tough competition this year.
