Trinity punishes Centreville in blowout win

Southern Sports & Travel

There were a few stark contrasts in pregame warm-ups prior to last night’s match-up between Trinity and Centreville. One squad dressed 17 players, the other nearly double that count. One squad ranked second in Class AA, the other ranked second in Class A.

After the opening possession of the game everyone sat up in their seats and took notice that the 2013 version of Trinity football will have to be reckoned with this season and the obvious conclusion following their stunning 44-18 beating of Centreville was that Trinity will have a major say-so in Class A football.

“We were embarrassed by Centreville last year,” said second year Trinity head coach Josh Loy. “We had a lot to prove, we are flying under the radar a little bit with our numbers and people aren’t talking about us so we wanted to come out and play our game.”

The Saints set the tone on the first possession of the evening with a 10 play, 78 yard scoring drive under the direction of senior quarterback Michael Whitley.

Whitley went 4/5 passing on the drive and at the 7:30 mark hit tight-end Quinton Logan with a 7 yard strike to notch the first points of the night.

Whitley then bulled his way in on the 2-point conversion to give Trinity an 8-0 lead.

It was the perfect storm in the worst of ways for Centreville and it began with a mishandled kickoff that resulted in the Tigers beginning their first offensive possession at their own goal line.

The Trinity defense allowed just two yards and forced the Centreville offense into a quick three and out and the Saints would reap the benefits with advantageous field position following a 26 yard punt by Centreville.

Trinity responded with a 6 play drive capped by Michael Whitley’s 15 yard hookup with senior wide-out Jacob Sandrock.

Trinity’s 2-point conversion attempt failed but with 3:32 remaining in the opening quarter the Saints held a 14-0 lead.

Centreville’s troubles would continue.

Trinity safety Arzell McCoy picked off a Casey Haygood pass at the Tiger 45 yard line and returned it to the 27 with 2:31 left in the quarter.

Four plays later Trinity tailback Demarcus Fleming went in from a yard out and Michael Whitley would connect with Arzell McCoy on the 2-point attempt to increase the lead to 22-0 with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Trinity cashed in on another Centreville miscue in the second quarter.

Conner Pressgrove’s fumble recovery at the Centreville 47 yard line would result in a 7 play drive that ended with Michael Whitley connecting with Jacob Sandrock for 17 yards and a score with 6:19 left in the half.

Whitley’s pass to Quinton Logan on the 2-point conversion pushed the lead to 30-0 before a shocked Centreville home crowd.

Centreville got on the board at the 4:49 mark of the quarter when Ian Ball scampered 53 yards but the tone of the night had been set and Trinity’s offense was clicking on all cylinders.

The Saints responded with a 7 play, 90 yard drive that was full of highlight film material.

Facing a 3rd and 6 from his own 14 yard line, Michael Whitley connected with wide-out Jacob Sandrock who made a diving grab at the Saint 41 yard line.

Whitley’s scramble and pass to Demarcus Fleming would move the Saints to the Centreville 34 yard line and two plays later Whitley plowed in from 5 yards out with 31 seconds left in the half.

Trey Hall’s plunge on the 2-point conversion increased Trinity's lead to 38-6.

The Saints took their biggest lead of the night at 44-6 on Michael Whitley’s 7 yard pass to Quinton Logan with 2:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Centreville notched two fourth quarter scores.

John Marcus McDowell went in from 6 yards out at the 11:16 mark and Casey Haygood hit Jordan Clark with a 22 yard touchdown strike with 3:11 remaining.

On the night Trinity quarterback Michael Whitley went 19/24 for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushed for 54 yards and another score.

“He’s smart,” said Josh Loy. “He makes good decisions with the football and he keeps getting better and better.”

Senior wide-out Jacob Sandrock had 6 receptions for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior tailback Trey Hall picked up 51 yards on 10 carries and sophomore tailback Demarcus Fleming rushed for 72 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
Centreville quarterback Casey Haygood went 8/19 for 123 yards and a touchdown and an interception.
Mark Curry picked up 48 yards on 10 carries.

Trinity (2-0) will host Central Private next Friday night while Centreville (1-1) travels to Natchez to battle ACCS.

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Post Game with Trinity Head Coach Josh Loy