Jacksonville FL- It was billed as the game of the year in Northeast Florida, in part because of the dynamic young talent that was on display for both teams. For Trinity, there was 4-star senior running-back Treyaun Webb, Junior (Duval Sports 4-star rated )running back Darnell Rogers, and sophomore 4-star quarterback Colin Hurley as headliners.
For Bolles, it was supposed to be Seniors 3-star Tight End Connor Cox, 3-star offensive linemen Brendan Black and Cooper Fordham, as well as 3-star Junior quarterback DJ Moore. However, Moore did not suit up for the game for Bolles due to a shoulder injury, leaving Trinity’s young guns with too much fire power for Bolles to handle.
Missed Scoring Opportunities By Bullish Bulldogs
Trinity started it’s first offensive possession in great field position when Tyrone Summerall returned the opening kickoff deep into Bolles territory. Trinity attempted to move the ball, but fumbled on a running play resulting in a recovery by Bolles linebacker Trent Carter. After a punt, Trinity had the ball in fairly good field position again, when Trinity coughed up the football a second time on a running play resulting in a Bolles recovery. The Bulldog’s Bullish defense had created two turnovers on two straight possessions.
After stopping the Bolles offense, Trinity attempted to make somthing happen on offense but a pass to the left side of the field was intercepted by Jacob Campen. In a wild set of events on this play, Campen returned the interception to the 1-yard line of Trinity, but Trinity’s wide receiver alertly stripped the ball and the fumble was recovered in the end-zone for a Trinity touchback. The Conquerors would have the ball at the 20-yard line.
Bolles was unable to capitalize on the gift wrapped points that Trinity attempted to spot them in the first quarter. As three turnovers by Trinity yielded 0 points for Bolles. That would come back to haunt the Bulldogs.
Linebackers Back Up Trinity
Since Trinity’s offense struggled early on, it was the defense that had to step up and they certainly did. First newcomer Bryce Kazmierczak who came over from Baker County this year, made two big plays back to back. He made a big tackle for loss and then a sack on the Bolles quarterback. The plays pushed Bolles backwards and resulted in a missed field goal by Bolles, leaving the score notched 0-0.
Bolles attempted to get the ball down field. Yet, Trinity’s defensive line pressured the quarterback forcing an errant throw and an interception by linebacker Cam Anderson. Anderson and Kazmierczak made plays from their backer positions which gave time for their offense to get going.
Trinity’s Offense Awakens
Colin Hurley and wide receiver Miles Burris started to connect, as Trinity drove down the short field. Hurley and Burris would break the scoreless tie on a 54-yard bomb for a touchdown. This connection would be unstoppable for Trinity all game as the two seemed to really be synced in the passing game.
With an ignited offense, running back Treyaun Webb did the rest, taking a direct snap off right tackle for the touchdown late in the second quarter. The score would send the Conquerors into the locker room confident with a 14-0 halftime lead.
Bolles Bounces Back
“I knew Bolles would come back with something really good in the second half” said Trinity head coach Verlon Dorminey after the game; and he was right. Bolles got a great kickoff return from Kavon Miller. A nice pass for the first down from sophomore quarterback Ethan Drumm to wide receiver Kaleb Lampkins.
That resulted in a short touchdown run by Ty Neal who drove right up the gut for the score. The touchdown was an impressive opening score by Bolles and breathed life back into the team and their crowd.
After another stop by the Bolles defense, the Bulldog offense was faced with a 4th and 1 from the Trinity 45-yard line. The call was give it to Grzebin. That’s sophomore running back Emmett Grzebin that is, who took off up the gut, outracing defensers for a touchdown. All of sudden Bolles and Trinity were tied at 14-14 nearing the end of the thrid quarter.
Trinity Has The Answer
In every tight game the Conquerors have had this year, their opponent has scored and Trinity immedietly responded. Against Bolles it was no different. Before the third quarter even concluded, Darnell Rogers first returned the kickoff to mid-field for Trinity. Then on the very next play he took off, making a defender miss in the back-field and rocketing 50-yards for an electrifying touchdown run.
Going into the fourth quarter, Trinity led Bolles 21-14. Only a touchdown separated them, but it seemed like the two teams were miles apart. Bolles could not find a rhythm in the passing game, and surprisingly did not attack Trinity’s secondary as starting defensive back Jaykob Jones was suspended for the game by rule, for being ejected the previous week.
The Closer
A 4th and 1 stop by Trinity’s defense, proved to be crucial in the game as Trinity called in their closer. Again, every close game the Conquerors have been in someone has stepped up to be that closer for the contest. Tonight it was the young gun, Darnell Rogers. With 5:20 remaining, Rogers took the hand-off, barrelled right into the middle of the defense full speed, and broke out the back-end like a rocket for an incredible 80-yard touchdown run to (literally) turn out the lights on Hammond blvd.
That play by the junior running back, along with the play of junior wide receiver Miles Burris who ended the night with over 150 yards receiving and a touchdown. As well as sophomore Colin Hurley who passed for over 200 yards, a touchdown, and converted key first downs with his arm and legs; proved to be too much fire power for Bolles as Trinty snapped their two game losing streak to the Bulldogs winning the game 27-14.
Bolles (2-2) will face Benedictine (2-2) at home, while Trinity (4-0) will face Columbia (2-2) at home next week,
