Trojans end season on high note despite taking loss

For the second straight week, the Tri-County Trojans gave their fans and themselves something lost for most of the season; hope. Coming off the heels of a big win, the Trojans were hoping to make it two straight when they hosted Colo Nesco on October 20.

Colo Nesco got things going with an early score and two-point conversion to go up by eight. Tri-County was able to respond later in the first quarter with a score of their own, an eight-yard run coming from Tegon Fogle. The score was tied at eight after a successful two-point conversion by Brayden Monroe.

A couple short runs from Colo Nesco's running back put the Trojans back in a 12-point hole. The Trojans responded with a late score in the first half to keep narrow the deficit. Cameron Krumm had a short three-run score followed by another successful two-points by Monroe.

Both teams were stagnant for the beginning of the second half, but things began to heat up midway through the third quarter. Fogle connected with Krumm on a 66-yard bomb to retake a minimal lead. The play not only took back momentum, it also raised everyone's spirits cheering for the Trojans.

"This was a very competitive game from start to finish," Trojan coach Scott Edmundson said. "Our kids played hard and executed well in several big down situations."

Colo Nesco retook the lead late in the third quarter, but Tri-County wasn't done fighting yet. Monroe found the end zone for a score early on in the fourth quarter, giving the Trojans a two-point lead with almost 11 minutes to go.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, their defense couldn't hold up Colo Nesco from putting up one more score minutes later. Neither team was able to tack on any more points, with Colo Nesco sneaking out the win 34-28.

"Penalties really made a difference in the momentum and outcome of the game," Edmundson said.

The Trojans were penalized eight times for 65 yards. One thing they did win was the turnover margin, throwing one pick but also getting one back and recovering a Colo Nesco fumble.

On the offensive side, Fogle was six of 12 passing for 129 yards, one score and one interception. He also ran the ball 13 times for 51 yards and one score. Monroe led the way on the ground, finishing with 75 yards on seven carries and one score, averaging over one first down length per touch. Krumm was the main target downfield, catching five balls for 100 yards and one score.

On the defensive side, the same trio led the way. Fogle had 12 tackles on the night, 10 solo. Krumm tallied 11 tackles, seven solo, one for a loss of yards and recovered one fumble. Monroe had 8.5 tackles, five solo. The lone interception was caught by Dayton Pace, who also had 5.5 tackles, two solo.

Though the Trojans took the loss, there's hope for the future in seeing the results from the past two weeks.

"The last half of the season has been a confidence builder for our team and has also proven that it takes everyone to be successful," Edmundson said. "Our seniors left everything on the field, and for that they can be proud. Work needs to begin now for next season."