Girard escapes Iola

By: Aaron Pyle

            Coming off a difficult defeat to the Prairie View Buffaloes and falling to 1-2 in district play, the Trojans looked to redeem themselves.

Friday night, the Trojans traveled to Iola as they squared off against the Mustangs. The Trojans have seemed to fall in a pattern through their schedule winning then losing and repeating that over. As the pattern continued, the Trojans defeated the Mustangs in a close game 21-13.

Senior Evan Troike put the first points up on the board for the Trojans returning a punt for 70 yards and senior Wade Boatman converting the field goal put the Trojans ahead 7-0.

Later in the second, senior Chandler Humble recovered a fumble giving the Trojans exceptional field positioning. This then led to senior quarterback Ty Norris throwing a 5-yard pass to senior Gage Chiartano putting Girard ahead 13-0 at the half.

In the third, momentum continued for the Trojans as senior Chandler Humble plowed his way in the end zone for the two-yard touchdown. Gage Chiartano would score the two-point conversion giving Girard a solid lead of 21-0.

But just when the Trojans were ahead, here came the Mustangs. Iola put up their first points to start off the 4th quarter. Soon after a three and out, the Mustangs scored the ball again off a 43-yard halfback pass making the score 21-13.

Girard would later fumble the ball with 54 seconds left in the game giving Iola a shot to possibly send the game to overtime. But the Trojan defense came up huge as junior Durbie McReynolds came up with an interception sealing the win for the Trojans as they improve to 2-2 in district play.

Senior Chandler Humble led the attack offensively for the Trojans with 28 carries rushing for 138 yards.

The Trojans (4-3) continue district play next week as they face off against the Osawatomie Trojans (0-7) Friday, October 19 in Girard.