Trojan football

Trojans fall short to Ellicot

It was an exciting home opener for the Las Animas Trojans on Friday night, Sept. 7, at Jack LaSalle Field against the Ellicott Thunderhawks.

The Trojans took the field after suffering an 18-0 shut-out against DHPH at Dutch Clark Stadium the Saturday before, and were eager to play on their home turf.

The first quarter was a defensive showdown as neither team made it to the end zone. Leading the Trojan defense was Trevor Johnson with 16 total tackles and the team’s only sack.

The second quarter saw Ellicott break the ice and score a quick six points. After an incomplete two-point-conversion, the Trojans marched down the field and Justin Dean ran into the end zone for 6 and Santiago Fernandez converted the point-after for a 7-6 lead.

The Trojans held the Thunderhawks scoreless for the rest of the second and went into the locker room with a 7-6 lead at the half.

The third quarter was scary for the Trojans. As the team wore down, injuries began to plague the team, and the Thunderhawks scored two touchdowns. To begin the fourth, the Trojans were down 18-7.

To start the fourth, Ellicott threw one more touchdown pass to increase their lead to 24-7, but the rest of the fourth quarter belonged to the Trojans.

After the fourth quarter score, the Trojans took the kickoff and marched down the field for another Justin Dean touchdown – a 45 yard run up the middle. The PAT was no good, and the Trojans were set to kick off again.

The ensuing kickoff was kicked onside and recovered by the Trojans. Once again they marched down the field and with 20 seconds left, Santiago Fernandez passed into coverage and found Shane Smith in the end zone for another 6 points. The Trojans marched back and made a game that seemed a blow out within reach. Once again, the Trojans kicked onside to recover possession and were successful. With 10 seconds left, the Trojans lofted a pass into the end zone, but it was knocked incomplete thus ending the game.

After a quick comeback, the Trojans kept the game close losing 19-24.

Justin Dean had a big night for Las Animas. Dean ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Fernandez was 3/7 with one TD and one INT, and Shane Smith caught all three passes for 23 yards and one TD.

Last week the Trojans traveled to Rocky Ford to face the Meloneers in league play on Friday, Sept. 14.

Trojans at Rocky Ford Meloneers

It was a good week for Trojan Football. After the loss to Ellicott in a near comeback, the Trojans took to the field on Friday, Sept. 14 ready to do some damage to league rivals the Rocky Ford Meloneers.

The Trojans traveled to Rocky Ford for the matchup, but didn’t let the bus time hinder their performance. On the opening kickoff, the Trojans’ Deveree Pearcy ran 87 yards to immediately give his team a 7-0 lead. From there, it was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to get into the endzone. Eventually, after a solid drive and near the endzone for a second score the Trojans fumbled and the Meloneers picked it up and ran it back for a touchdown. This score, however, would be their only one of the night.

After the score, and blocked extra point by Trevor Johnson, the Trojans performed at a nearly flawless level on defense. As a team, Las Animas combined for 81 total tackles including a total of 6 sacks on the quarterback. Those sacks added up to 22 lost yards for the Meloneers.

In the second quarter, the Trojans scored again to give themselves a 14-6 lead at the half.

The third quarter was stagnant for both teams as the score remained 14-6 until the fourth quarter when the Trojans’ ground game pounded in for another 6 points and PAT to go up 21-6 and effectively end the game.

The Trojans were led offensively by Pearcey who had a grand total of 105 yards and two of the Trojans’ touchdowns. Josh Gonzales scored the other TD and led the team in tackles with 11 after sitting out a week due to an injury. Right behind Gonzales in tackles was Trevor Johnson and Justin Dean who had 10 apiece. Shane Smith caught the Trojans’ one pass for 42 yards in a make-or-break third and 15 play.

This week the Trojans get an extra practice day as they will wait until Saturday, Sept. 22, to travel to Calhan to face the Bulldogs. Game time is set for 2 p.m.