National Trail used a solid running game to control the ball and outscore the Panthers. On the otherside of the ball, the Blazers defense did a good job of frustrating the Panther offense. Particularly in the 2nd half whenthe Panthers were trying to pass the ball to get back in the game. At games end Trail would win 26-12 for their 1st win of the season.
Trail would score on their 1st drive. Quarterback Cooper Smith capped off a 54 yard drive with a 12 yard TD run. Trail kept the momentum and held North to a 3 and out series. A poor punt gave Trail great field position The offense briskly went back to work and this time it was Zach Creager who ran the ball in from about 11 yards out. Trail was now up by 2 scores 13-0.
North needed momentum and they got it from Mason Givens who ran the ensuing kickoff back 84 yards to put North on the board. The defense stepped up and now held the Blazers to 3 and out. But the offense could not follow through. The 1st half was plagued by penalties on both teams. And North had back to back penalties that put them in long yardage. When they tried to pass Aiden Martin was ready and picked it off to give the Blazers the ball just before halftime.
The Blazers managed to score one more time before the break thanks to a Cooper Smith pass to Matthew Scott that put the ball on the 2 yard line. Talon Bousman took over from there and scored to put the Blazers up 19-6.
North got the ball 1st in the 2nd half. They gambled on a 4th and short yardage at midfield with a well executed fake punt and got a fresh set of downs. But it was all for naught as Trail intercepted another North pass to end the drive. Trail once again fed off of the change in momentum and drove the ball for another score. Grady Ott did the honors for Trail scoring easily from 3 yards out.
North did put together one more drive that gave the Panthers another score. Grayson Woodworth caught a Davis Brunk pass for a 26 yard touchdown. The Panthers did try to rally late, but Jody Wintrow intercepted a North pass to end any hopes of an 11th hour rally. Trail did try 2 field goals in the 4th quarter. Both attempts failed although the last one just did miss as it bounced off of the goal post.
Tri-County North will travel to Bradford next week, while Trail will continue to be road warriors as they visit Preble Shawnee.
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