Trojans hope to get taste of long ago past

The last time Troy High School made the football playoffs, many of its current football players were not yet born.

Back in 1991, the Trojans won the state championship. The next year, Troy again made the postseason. But ever since that 1992 season, Troy has been an onlooker while other teams performed the playoff dance.

Could this be the year the Trojans break through and grab a bit of that glory from so long ago?

“I believe our league is going to be really balanced and stay in the thick of things,” said Troy High School football coach Rich McElmurry, who walked the sidelines during those playoff appearances. “The question is whether or not we’ll stay healthy. We have a few more kids that can fill and that’s something we haven’t had in the past.”

The road to a possible playoff berth will not be easy for Troy. Only two teams out of the Western 7B make the postseason and Eureka and Thompson Falls have traditionally nabbed those spots. Making the task even more difficult for Troy is the fact that both of those big games are on the road this season.

The Trojans ended up 4-4 last season and return five returning starters on both sides of the ball. Heading into the season, quarterback and free safety Aaron Palmer looks like a player to watch.

“He will certainly be a huge part of our team,” McElmurry said about the 6-foot-2, 200-pound all-conference pick from last year. “He’s very capable of just taking the ball and running. He plays quarterback like a fullback sometimes. But he’s also capable of throwing the ball.”

Shado Garrett, a 6-2, 165-pound senior, should be one of his top targets as an all-conference returning receiver. Garrett has built a reputation with the head coach as having good hands and running good routes. He plays linebacker on defense.

Jake Alexander, a 5-7, 160-pound junior, started Troy’s last two games a year ago after injury hit the Trojans. Shawn Duncan, a 6-0, 200-pound senior who made all-conference in 2007, anchors the line from his tackle spot. Scott Harper (5-9, 160, Sr.) and Dalton Powell (5-9, 170, Sr.) figure into the running back picture. Brian Hammrich (6-1, 180, Jr.) will see time at split end. Tom Roeder (5-11, 210, Jr.) was a part-time starter last year at guard.

“I think we’ll be fairly wide open. I think we’ll be fun to watch,” said McElmurry, who is entering his 25th season as THS coach. “On our line, we only have one kid returning, Duncan, so we’ll be pretty green up front. It will depend on what those guys do.”

As is the case in most cases, good execution from the guys in the trenches usually translates to overall team success.

“If those guys have a good year up front, we’ll have a good year,” McElmurry said. “If we struggle up front, we’ll struggle a bit. I believe we’re pretty set at the skill positions.”

Troy has already been hit with the injury bug in preparation for this week’s season opener. Garrett is trying to work his way through a shoulder injury that dates back to last season. McElmurry said the shoulder didn’t heal quite right. In addition, Powell has missed practice time because of a leg injury.

Many of the same players on offense will do double-duty and also play considerable time on defense – Palmer, Garrett and Harper to name just a few. In addition, Chris Hoffman is a 5-8, 200-pound junior who knows how to hit out of his linebacker spot. Jesse Day, a 6-foot, 160-pound senior, has been exceptional at cornerback.

On special teams, Troy fans might want to keep an eye on kicker Marco Thomas, an import from Germany. Thomas played soccer in his home country and wanted to try American football.

The Trojans open the season Friday at Darby and next week will head to Loyola. The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 19 against Florence. Homecoming is set for Oct. 10 vs. Plains.