Trinity comes up big on defense and special teams, blanks West Catholic 24-0

Tagged under: District 12, District 3, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Billy Splain | November 18, 2022

“We knew coming in that was a good defense over there” said Trinity head coach Jordan Hill. “That was our game plan all week. We knew they could fly around, get some pressure. Our run game wasn’t as good as it has been the last couple weeks and we were going to have to hang our hats on defense”. That they did as the Shamrocks held West Catholic to 9 yard in the first half and gave up only 101 for the entire game enroute to a 24-0 win.

The Burrs stumbled out of the gate with a personal foul tacked on to a nice opening kick return to put the Shamrocks on the Burrs 45. Max Schlager carried the ball for two big gains, the second an 8 yard td run to put Trinity up 7-0 with 8:03 left in the first quarter.

8 yard touchdown run by Max Schlage and at the 8:03 point @thsshamrocks has a 7-0 lead pic.twitter.com/DYYzP6Z3v8

— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) November 19, 2022

It looked at that point like Trinity, who had scored over 50 in their last several games, were on their way to another big night. But as coach Hill said, they knew the West defense was tough and they showed it. Both teams exchanged punts, neither able to muster up much offense. Special teams were key for sure. Trey Weiand blocked a Burr punt and Payton Schaffner  returned it to the 19 but the West Catholic defense made a fourth down stop at the one.

Then another big special teams play happened for the Shamrocks. Facing 4th and long, Trinity punted the ball away but the West Catholic player lost track of it and it bounced off his shoulder. Zane Rigg seized the opportunity and pounced on the ball at the 33. 2 plays later Caleb Wray hit  Weiand for a nice 32 yard td pass. With 2:32 left in the half, Trinity held a 14-0 lead. It would be Weland’s only big play. “It was just a great team win. It’s everybody making plays” said Weiand of his big night. “Special teams are a big part of any team and tonight we capitalized on the opportunities created.”

Burrs muff a punt and @thsshamrocks capitalizes. 32 yard Td pass from @c_wray3 to Trey Weiand. Shamrocks miss a fg before the buzzer but lead 14-0 pic.twitter.com/JLP6QCJz98

— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) November 19, 2022

The second half more of the same. Defense and special teams for the Shamrocks. After pinning the Burrs deep on their 3 with a punt, the Shamrock defense locked down and forced a punt than only got to the 20. Messiah Mickens ran the ball in from the three to put Trinity up 21-0 late in the third. John Paukovits hit a 39 yard field goal to close out the scoring.

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