Trojans stumble at Frontenac

Trojans stumble at Frontenac
Girard made the trip bus ride to Frontenac Friday night looking to defeat the Raiders for the first time since 2012. In the two opponents’ four previous matchups, this game was decided by five or less points each year. Friday night’s game featured a much different story, as Frontenac was able to force three Trojan turnovers and all but stop Girard’s rushing offense.
The Trojans took the opening kickoff and on just the fourth play from scrimmage, Frontenac intercepted a pass from Eric Wilson. Starting at the Trojan 23, the Raiders found the endzone on a one-yard run on their fifth play of the drive. With 7:33 left in the first quarter, Frontenac held a 7-0 lead.
The Trojans quickly moved the ball into the Raider’s territory on their second drive of the game, when Wilson connected with Junior Lindbloom for a 63-yard completion that landed the Trojans inside Frontenac’s 15-yardline. The offense sputtered, and the drive ended when the Raiders sacked Wilson on fourth down.
The Raiders needed just six plays to find the endzone again. After the Trojans were flagged for a facemask penalty, the Raiders would complete four passes, with the last completion resulting in a 17-yard touchdown reception. Late in the first quarter, Frontenac held a two-touchdown lead, but the Trojans weren’t done fighting yet.
A kick return from Kolby Morrison set the Trojans up near midfield to start their third drive of the night. Trey Eaton and Wilson took over from there. Eaton carried the ball three times for 22 yards on the drive, and Wilson completed three of four passes for 45 yards. Wilson’s third completion went for 20 yards and results in six points when Jordan Hopson outjumped the Raider defense to highpoint the football in the back of the endzone. Early in the second quarter, the Trojans trailed 14-6.
Any momentum the Trojans had from their touchdown drive was quickly stripped away when the Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, quickly making it 21-6. The Raiders would take their two-touchdown lead into halftime.
The Raiders held possession to start the second half, and Kross Hamblin quickly gave the Trojans a shot in the arm when he made a diving interception after a Frontenac receiver dropped the pass. Starting new midfield, the Trojans had a chance of getting back into the game, but the Raider defense forced a punt. The Raiders ran six times for 38 yards and completed five of five pass attempts for 39 yards to march down the field with a balanced attack. A 14-yard touchdown completion put Frontenac up 27-6 in the third.
The Trojans would take the following drive deep into Raider territory, but another defensive stand on fourth-and-short stalled out another Girard possession. The Raiders would find the endzone again with 10:01 left in the game, and successfully put the contest out of reach. Frontenac would cruise to their 33-6 victory.
The Raiders amassed an unofficial 304 yards of offense. They rushed 30 times for 175 yards and two scores, and they completed 14 of 18 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. The Trojans ran the ball 37 times for 75 yards, and Wilson threw for 168 yards on 8-22 completions. Lindbloom recorded two catches for 93 yards, and Hopson caught four balls for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Now 3-3 on the year, the Trojans will prepare for a playoff push when they travel to Anderson County next week to start district play.