On a stormy night in Southeast Kansas, Girard traveled to Baxter Springs Friday night for a CNC-league matchup featuring a pair of 1-1 teams. While the game only lasted two and a half quarters due to lightning in the area, Girard made their time on the field count
On the opening kickoff, Trey Eaton used two quick cuts to get to the sideline and outran the Lion kickoff team for a 95-yard touchdown. The Trojans quickly got the ball back after a Baxter fumble, and four plays later quarterback Eric Wilson found the endzone from 12 yards out. For Wilson, it was his first of several touchdowns, and the Trojans were up 14-0 just over three minutes into the game. With 7:00 left in the first quarter, Girard scored another touchdown. After recovering yet another Lion fumble, the Trojan offense put points on the board with Wilson’s second touchdown run on the night. On the ensuing drive, Girard made up for a facemask penalty with two sacks for a net 17-yard loss, and forced a Baxter punt. The Trojans made it a 28-0 lead when Wilson recorded his rushing touchdown hat-trick when he took his third of the night in from three yards out.
The second quarter started with Baxter’s most explosive of the game when they connected on an 82-yard touchdown pass for their lone score of the night. The Trojans quickly regained any lost momentum on the ensuing kickoff when Kolby Morrison took the kick 90 yards for Girard’s second special teams score of the night. After forcing the Lions to punt, Girard scored their final touchdown of the night when Wilson completed a 63-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Teddy Paoni. The Trojans led 42-6.
After another Lions punt, the Trojans were forced to punt for the first and only time of the night. Girard stopped Baxter from stealing a late-half touchdown when they recovered their third fumble of the night. Girard went into the intermission with a five-touchdown lead. On the first drive of the second half, the game was called with 6:35 left due to lightning in the area.
With the win, the Trojans improved to 2-1 on the season (2-1 CNC), while the Lions’ record now sits at 1-2 (1-2 CNC). The Trojans will now prepare to visit the 4A-II runner-up, Columbus. Columbus is 2-0 on the year, and the final score of their Friday-night contest at Galena is pending due to a suspension because of weather.