Sep 12, 2014 3 min read

If there’s one theme that has emerged after the first three weeks of the high school football season, it’s that when you attend a Trinity game, you’re probably going to see a lot of points scored.

On the heels of last week’s 97-point game, a 55-42 defeat to Laurel Highlands, the Hillers were locked in another shootout with Elizabeth Forward. It was a game that looked like the winner would be determined by who had the ball last.

But in the second half, it was Elizabeth Forward’s dominant, clock-draining ground attack that proved superior, and the Warriors went on to defeat Trinity, 33-28, Friday night at Hiller Field in a Class AAA Big Nine Conference game.

The loss, and the Hillers’ 0-3 start to begin the year, resulted in senior quarterback Forrest Cullings calling a players-only huddle after head coach Ryan Coyle finished talking with the team after the game. Trinity has given up 132 points in three games.

“I let him do what he wants to do regarding certain things like that,” said Coyle. “I respect him a lot, and if he wants to get them in on the Trinity ‘T’ at the end of the game, that’s certainly his right as one of our captains.”

The Warriors (2-1, 2-1) had a pretty simple game plan – run the ball. With misdirection, several weapons to choose from and a big offensive line, Elizabeth Forward racked up 367 yards on the ground. Coach Mike LeDonne called one pass in the entire game, which resulted in a 14-yard completion on a fourth-and-9.

“That’s our strength. There’s no rhyme or rhythm behind it,” LeDonne said. “We’re gonna line up and make you stop the run. It’s a simple formula, but our kids execute it very well.”

Doing the most damage was star running back Jake Meyers, who totaled 185 yards on 32 carries. He scored the Warriors’ final three touchdowns, including the decisive 6-yard run with 7:12 left in the game. Quarterback Steve Mayernick gained 136 yards on 15 attempts.

That final scoring drive for Elizabeth Forward was a 19-play, 80-yard drive that chewed 9:53 off the clock and followed a missed Trinity field goal.

“I talked to my offensive coordinator and I said let’s take the air out of the ball,” said LeDonne. “That was beautiful, especially with our defense struggling a little bit against their offense.”

One key moment in the game was Billy Miles intercepting Cullings and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown. Instead of a potential 21-7 Trinity lead, the score was tied at 14.

Although Trinity scored to go back ahead, Elizabeth Forward recorded 19 unanswered points to take a 33-21 lead. The Hillers responded with Colton Jordan’s touchdown with 2:08 left in the game, but, as Coyle said, Trinity ran out of time.

Elizabeth Forward recovered the onside kick and was able to kill the clock.

“I tell the kids you got to get all the BBs in the box,” said Coyle. “If there’s one or two of those BBs out of the box, unfortunately, the outcome’s usually not a positive one. Once all the BBs get in the box, then we’ll be in good shape.”

Between running backs Colton, Joseph Koroly and Dajour Hull, Trinity gained 257 yards on the ground. Hull led the way with 107 yards on four carries, primarily on an 83-yard touchdown run.