Trojans hit hard by the Titans
STAFF REPORTS
The Girard Trojans football team took a hard loss against the Columbus Titans in their third game of the season last night on the Titans’ home field.
This game was a key match-up of the season for both teams. After Girard defeated Columbus last year in the first round of the playoffs, the Titans came out eager for revenge.
Girard’s defense put up an aggressive fight against the Titans, however the team’s offense struggled to make ground.
The Trojans opened the game with offensive possession, but failed to penetrate the Titans’ defensive line for a first down and were required to punt.
Throughout the first quarter, the Trojans’ defense held strong at times but struggled to contain key Titan receivers from making plays.
Girard allowed the Titans to take a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter. However, they forced the Titans to punt on the next possession.
Girard’s Chandler Humble breaks a tackle in a dash toward the end zone after receiving a kick on kickoff return. Humble’s nearly 60-yard kickoff return became the Trojan’s first and only touchdown of the game. JOYCE KOVACIC
The Trojans would allow the Titans to score a second time in the first quarter with only 15 seconds left, bringing the score to 12-0 after a missed field goal.
Offensively, Girard could not find a hole in the Titans’ defense in either of their two offensive possessions during the first quarter and resulted to their passing game. However, Trojan quarterback Kyler Siebert struggled to find any open receivers.
Girard’s offense continued to be held back by the Columbus defense throughout the second quarter, and failed to find their way into the end zone.
The Trojans’ defense was hurt by pass coverage flaws and mistakes in the second quarter and allowed Columbus to score two additional times to bring the score to 26-0.
In the final minutes of the first half, Chandler Humble returned a kickoff by the Titans for nearly 60 yards and scored the Trojan’s first and only touchdown of the game.
Humble’s touchdown brought the score to 26-7 after a completed field goal PAT, and Girard’s defense prevented the Titans from scoring again.
In the second half, Girard continued to battle defensively but the Titans receivers could not be contained.
Early in the third quarter, the Titans scored after Girard allowed a 30-yard pass over the top, which was followed by a run into the end zone to bring the score to 33-7.
Girard’s defense began struggling to stop the Titan’s offense, and allowed them to score twice more in the third quarter after strong offense run drives, bringing the score to 46-7.
In the fourth quarter, an interception by the Titans was ran back to bring the score to 54-7. This would be the final score allowed last night by Girard’s defense.
Throughout the second half Girard could not find their way up the field on offense, failing to gain ground with their run game and struggling to complete pass plays against the Columbus defense.
The Trojans’ effort against the Titans ended with a 54-7 loss to bring their record this season to 1-2.
Girard will host the Galena Bulldogs at 7 p.m. this Friday in their fourth match-up of the season.