Trojans bounce back with important blowout victory
STAFF REPORTS
The Girard Trojan football team picked up its first win of the season Friday, Sept. 9, in a stylish fashion, blowing out the Riverton Rams 42-6.
The team was clicking at all times throughout the contest for the Trojan team, who bounced back from a week one loss to Frontenac.
Right off the bat, the Trojans started the game with a nice return from senior Isaiah Fisher to start their first drive inside Ram territory.
From there, the young Trojan offensive line seemed to have learned some lessons from week one and opened up seams for Girard backs all night long.
The first possession was capped-off by senior quarterback Eric Wilson with a 20-yard run to make the score 6-0 after a blocked PAT.
Only a few plays into their first possession, the Rams fumbled and allowed the Trojan offense to once again start their drive within Riverton territory.
Five plays into the drive, Wilson ran for his second touchdown of the night from two yards out.
Next possession, the Rams could not convert on fourth down, as Girard’s Austin Lallemand came up with a huge sack, but this time, Girard was starting their drive inside their own territory for the first time.
After a 12-play drive, senior Isaiah Fisher found his first score of the night from nine yards out on a smooth run, making the score 21-0.
However, this game did not remain a shut out for much longer. Riverton returned the ensuing kick off for a touchdown, down the sideline to make the score 21-6.
On the next possession, Girard used a number of quick screen passes and edge runs to convert crucial third downs and put themselves in scoring position.
Wilson eventually capped off this possession with his third touchdown run of the night from 34 yards out.
On the next Riverton possession, the Trojan defense came up big once again on fourth down. This was a recurring theme all night long as Girard’s defense held Riverton to 60 total yards of offense.
Now, the Trojans were looking for one more score before the half. On third and 16, Wilson connected with Jordan Hopson for a 44 yard gain.
Soon after, Fisher found the endzone again from 6 yards out and put the Trojans up 35-6 going into the second half.
The final Trojan touchdown was scored by Wilson from a yard out in the fourth quarter to put the score at 42-6 where it would stay for the remainder of the game.
Wilson threw for 163 yards on eight completions in 11 attempts. He also added 93 yards rushing on 11 attempts and four rushing touchdowns. Camden McFarland led the ground attack with 95 yards on 19 carries. Fisher also had 42 yards on six carries, two of which were touchdowns. Sophomore Kreed Curran contributed 30 yards on two carries late in the fourth quarter.
Hopson led Girard’s receivers with three catches for 69 yards. Dalton Lindbloom added 30 yards, while Shane Redfern put in another 28.
Defensively, Austin Lallemand and Chaise Bryant both recorded 1.5 sacks, while Kyler Siebert recorded a forced fumble.
Girard will be heading into week three with a 1-1 record, looking to knock off the 2-0 Columbus Titans Friday at 7 p.m. in Girard.