by T 0 8 27 14 = 49
I 7 7 7 6 = 27
Independence, OH – The Independence Blue Devils failed to capitalize on three Trinity first half turnovers and it cost them in a 49-27 defeat to the Trojans. Trojans quarterback Aidan Duncan and star tailback Kaden Robinson combined for 368 rushing yards on a huge night. The Trojans scored 27 third quarter points in route to the victory. As a team, the Trojans went for 420 on the ground.
After a grounded kick, the Blue Devils started the night at their own 40-yard line. The drive was fueled by a 37-yard pitch and catch from Narduzzi to Ressler to put them in position. It was shortly after that when Narduzzi took it the rest of the way for a 10-yard touchdown run to start the scoring on the night and give the Blue Devils an early 7-0 lead.
Early into the second quarter, up 7-0, the Blue Devils turned to their trick play book when they had Narduzzi line up to punt, and instead fake the punt and take off down the middle of the field for a 54-yard touchdown run. That is the bonus of having your quarterback also as your punter. This made it 14-0 with 10:13 to play in the opening half.
The Trojans answered on their next drive with some big runs from Aidan Duncan and Kaden Robinson. They went 60 plus yards quickly, capping it off with a 8 yard Robinson touchdown to cut into the lead at 14-8 when Robinson converted the two point Trojan conversion with 6:23 left to play in the first half.
Trinity began their next drive at their own 11-yard line with 4:50 remaining in the half. After a first down, the Trojans put the ball on the ground and gave it back to the Blue Devils deep in their own territory. The Blue Devils failed to capitalize for the second time on the night following a turnover as this time a Narduzzi pass was picked off in the back of the endzone.
The Trojan luck turned south quick however when 3 plays later it was a Duncan pass getting picked off by Rocco Ressler. The third Trojan turnover of the game at that point. However, for the third time on the night, the Blue Devils failed to turn a turnover, into points as they missed a 31-yard field goal as time expired.
The Trojans started the second half with the ball and rattled off a 45-yard run from Mario Muniz on a jet sweep to get them cooking quick. A few plays later, a 8 yard pass from Duncan to Lance Hudson to hand the Trojans the 15-14 lead with 7:34 to go in the third quarter.
The Blue Devils tried to answer and couldn’t as their next drive ended in a Narduzzi interception, his second of the game. The Trojans quickly made them pay on the legs for Kaden Robinson who took it in for his second touchdown of the night. This handed the Trojans a 21-14 lead with 4:32 to play in the third.
For the second straight possession, the Trojans picked off Narduzzi who floated one over the middle directly into the arms of a Trojan, their third pick of the night. It took the Trojans one play to capitalize when Aidan Duncan took off for a 55-yard touchdown run, making it 28-14 with 3:08 to play in the third. A 20-0 third quarter run for the Trojans.
The Blue Devils wasted no time answering, with a 4-play quick drive to score right back. Their touchdown coming on a Narduzzi to Ressler touchdown pass from 21 yards out. This made it 28-21 Trojans with 2:19 still to play in a wild third quarter. We weren’t done, mere moments later it was the Trojans scoring on a 37-yard beautiful RPO play by Aidan Duncan. This made it 35-21 Trinity with 17 seconds still to play in the third. The game went to the fourth by that same score.
Early into the fourth quarter, the Trojans picked off Narduzzi for a fourth time, to get the ball near midfield, up 14. Once again, it didn’t take long for the Trojans to capitalize as Robinson hit the jets for a 46-yard touchdown romp making guys miss. This quick score extended the Trojan lead to 43-21 with 9:13 to play in the contest.
Later in the fourth, the Trojans put another one in for good measure, to extend their lead to 49-21 with 3:37 to play. The Trojans hung on to win 49-27.
Performers of the game
Trinity QB Aidan Duncan with 172 yards on 23 carries with 3 touchdowns.
Trinity RB Kaden Robinson with 172 yards on 23 carries with 3 touchdowns.
Independence QB Dominic Narduzzi with 97 yards on the ground and 204 in the air.
Independence WR / RB Rocco Ressler with 25 yards rushing and 124 receiving yards on 9 catches and a TD. He also had an interception on defense.
