By George Starks |
NEW MADISON- When Tri-Village took the opening kickoff Friday from National Trail, it was game on right away as the Patriots rolled over the Blazers, 35-0.
The Patriots took the ball first and 10 at their own 37, it took less than two minutes for quarterback Brandon Keeting to find paydirt from very close yardage and the Pats were up 7-0 with 10:12 left in the opening quarter.
Must over three minutes later, Keeting was in again. This time from one yard out and with 7:00 on the clock it was 14-0.
By the end of the half, the Patriots held a commanding 35-0 lead.
“I’m so happy about the way we played tonight, ” said Patriots coach Matt Hopkins. “I think we played well in all three phases of our game tonight. The kids came into this game ready to play. The offensive moved the ball well and I really couldn’t be happier. Now we get another week with these seniors and I’m very happy for them.”
On defense, the Patriots were about as stingy as one team could get. Trail, no matter what it did, could never get anything generated.
“The defense was stellar, ” Hopkins pointed out. “They (the defense) was nasty tonight. We’re not very big but we’re quick and we’re mean. We were flying to the football but we have to do better with our tackles.”
The highlight for Hopkins came from Trey Sagester.
Possibly the smallest player on the field, pound for pound, he may be the toughest player on the field.
Not only did he score from passes thrown from Keeting, he had several tackles on defense including a interception.
“That kid is amazing, ” Hopkins said with a smile. “We make with him about his size because he might we 110 pounds with his pads on but he doesn’t have a problem sticking his nose in the middle of anything. He’s a tough bird.”
On a night when it seem like the Patriots could do little wrong, Hopkins had nothing but praise for his kids.
“I’m so happy with the way we played tonight, ” said Hopkins. “We talked all week about cleaning up our game and we did. Everything has to be turned up a extra notch during the playoffs and these guys did it.”
With the victory, the Patriots will travel to West Liberty Salem and a date with the Tigers. WLS rolled to a 47-7 win over Lucas Valley.
In other action from county teams, Ansonia had no problem with Cincinnati Lockland, 52-7 and will host Mechanicsburg Friday, a winner over Cincinnati St. Bernard, 40-14.
Versailles ripped Troy Christian apart 40-0 and will face Twin Valley at home next. The Panthers knocked off Deer Park, 34-7.
Bradford ended its season, falling to Minster, 50-8.
CNO Photos by George Starks. Featured photo: Freshman Dom Black (78) throws a block to spring senior Reed Wehr for a first quarter score. Tri-Village rolled to a 35-0 victory over National Trail in tournament action.
