
Zuzak Scores 6 TDs as Trojans Win Tri-County South 49-20 at Carmichaels @nathagrella
Tagged under: District 7, Game Photos-Videos, News
Nate Grella | October 17, 2020
Picture- @sykotyk
For both the Mikes and the Torjans, it’s been nothing but perfection the whole year and for a Saturday night clash, the Tri-County South came down to Carmichaels and California. Led by Jaeden Zuzak, the WPIAL leader in both rushing yards and touchdowns, California was poised to win it’s first outright section title since 2017 while Carmichaels had not won since 2016.
The biggest story heading into the game was the health of Carmichaels QB Damani Stafford. Stafford exited last week’s game against Jefferson-Morgan in the second quarter with a rib injury and was questionable heading into the title defining match with the Mikes. Stafford started the opening play for California and there was no looking back for the Trojans offense.
Cal QB @StaffordDamani postgame following a 49-20 win over Carmike and a section title @PaFootballNews @caltrojansfb pic.twitter.com/3NdwZml7TC
— BackyardPAFootball (@PaBackyard) October 18, 2020
California opened up the game with a methodical 3 minute drive, moving down the field at will before Zuzak scampered into the endzone to make it 8-0. Almost immediately Carmichaels responded with a long pass of their own before pushing it in to tie it up. Right off the bat that game looked to be a shootout.
Big score from @jaeden_zuzak and it’s 7-0 9 minutes left in the 1st @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/vsHyyI0lLa
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 17, 2020
All night there would be no stopping a brutal California rushing attack. Damani Stafford walked into the endzone to respond and put the Trojans up by 7.
QB @StaffordDamani UNTOUCHED INTO THE ENDZONE 15-8 now with 10:19 left in the 1st half @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/FtI9PdbfmH
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 17, 2020
Carmichaels did the same with a Bailey Jones run on the goal line, however a missed extra point put the score at 15-14 in the mid 2nd quarter.
Breaking through tackles and @Bailey2T6Jones is in! 15-14 after a missed xp 8:20 left in the 1st half @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/g2v74El0FR
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 17, 2020
On the following California drive, Coach Ed Woods would draw up a RB pass from Zuzak to a wide open Matt Trunzo in the endzone, however a missed extra point put the score at 21-14. It would be all Trojans the rest of the way.
Trick play and pass from @jaeden_zuzak to @MattTrunzo makes the score 21-14 after a botched xp 5:14 left in the 1st half @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/TVQ9XotYE7
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 17, 2020
The Trojans opened up their first two offensive drives with two rushing touchdowns, both courtesy of Jaeden Zuzak. And with a kickoff fumble by Carmichaels between the two, the score would be 35-14 near the end of the 3rd quarter.
Zuzak AGAIN FROM TWO YARDS 1:37 left in the 3rd quarter @PaBackyard @PaFootballNews @jaeden_zuzak pic.twitter.com/v7QxGZAjWx
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 18, 2020
Carmichaels wouldn’t be put down. On the following drive, the Mikes methodically moved down the field and put it in for 7, then on the next defensive drive, turned the ball over with a Zuzak fumble.
TOUCHDOWN CARMICHAELS Trenton Carter takes it in and with a missed xp it’s a 35-20 game with 9:35 left @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/Q0fKEPQFyx
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 18, 2020
On the next play Ethan Fike stripped Bailey Jones and California once more had the ball offensively. Stafford gave the ball to Zuzak off the bat on the line of scrimmage, and Zuzak would not make the same mistake he made the drive before.
Handoff to @jaeden_zuzak and HE IS GONE 77 YARDS 6:30 left 42-20 @caltrojansfb @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard pic.twitter.com/KADqNs3D3z
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 18, 2020
With the clock expiring, Zuzak would put in another touchdown making his 6th of the game, and his 4th consecutive game of 5 touchdowns or more.
ZUZAK WITH HIS 6TH OF THE GAME 49-20 with 54 seconds left @PaFootballNews @PaBackyard @jaeden_zuzak pic.twitter.com/YLWvBOa3z1
— Nathan Grella (@NathanGrella) October 18, 2020
Postgame remarks from @jaeden_zuzak following the Trojans win and a 6 TD performance @caltrojansfb @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/wM7oXtn5uK
— BackyardPAFootball (@PaBackyard) October 18, 2020
The California Trojans, with the win, win the Tri-County South conference title and will most likely be seeded either 2 or 3 in the WPIAL Playoffs, moving them on the opposite side of title favorite Clarion. Carmichaels will finish the season second in the conference and will open up the playoffs on the road against either Jeannette or Shenango depending on seedings.
Photos of the Game:
For more, and larger, photos from this game, click HERE.
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