Trojans stun previously unbeaten Florence
Football artwork
Judging from the game’s first play, one might think Troy would be in for a long night. Instead, the Trojans rolled in one of their most thrilling triumphs in recent memory.
“I thought our kids played well for four quarters,” Troy coach Rich McElmurry said following a 34-23 win over previously-unbeaten Florence on Friday night. “We finished plays – something we hadn’t been doing. Things just kind of came together.”
Troy got into a hole on its first play from scrimmage. First, the Trojans got stuck back on its own 10-yard-line following the game-opening kickoff. On the first play, Troy fumbled the exchange and Florence pounced on the ball. Three plays later, the Trojans trailed, 7-0.
“We didn’t start off very well … but we turned it around and went right down and scored,” McElmurry said.
On Troy’s second possession, the offense found much better results. QB Mikey Ormiston hooked up with Kody Hoffman over the middle on a 55-yard touchdown to get the Trojans started.
“From that point on, we played pretty well,” McElmurry said. “We ended up with 467 yards of total offense – 337 yards passing and 130 yards rushing.”
Florence tried to answer Troy’s TD and moved the ball. QB Spencer Burns sprinted to the outside and was heading up the sideline when Hoffman caught him from behind and forced a fumble. Ormiston was following the play and covered up for the recovery.
The Trojans later took the lead on a 20-yard TD pass from Ormiston to Hoffman.
Troy led 20-14 at the break with its other touchdown coming on a 31-yard pass from Ormiston to Trevor Cratty. Florence scored again to keep its deficit at six points.
In the third quarter, Florence crept to within 20-17 following a 35-yard field goal.
After the Trojans failed on their next series, Florence appeared to be picking up momentum and started marching downfield.
On what could be called the play of the game, Hoffman came away with an interception at the 15-yard-line to stop Florence’s drive cold.
The Trojans went on to score on a 23-yard run by Hoffman. Florence countered with a TD to cut the Trojan lead to 28-23 going into the fourth.
“In the fourth, we were able to run the ball with Orr to the outside,” McElmurry said. “We were trying to manage the clock there a little bit and run the option to the outside with Kody leading it. We were busting off some big yards.”
Orr eventually scored the final TD on a 30-yard run. He finished with 96 yards on 18 carries.
Troy’s passing game was on the mark all night. Ormiston had a career game by completing 21-of-37 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Hoffman had four catches for 113 yards while both Tommy Nyland and Ryan Rayson finished with four receptions for 49 yards. Derrick Winslow had 49 yards receiving as well on three catches. Creede Garcia and Trevor Cratty had a pair of catches.
Turnovers played a key role in the game with Troy getting four interceptions and a fumble recovery to stifle the Florence offense. Trent Cratty had two picks while Trevor Cratty and Hoffman each had one interception to go along with the Ormiston fumble recovery.
Florence falls to 5-1 overall and plays Loyola Sacred Heart this week.
Troy (1-2, 3-3) gets back into 7-B play on Friday with a trip to Bigfork. The Trojans remain in the hunt for a state playoff berth as one of four teams tied for third place. The top three qualify for the postseason.
Troy 34, Florence 23
Friday at Troy HS
Scoring by Quarters:
Florence 7 7 9 0—23
Troy 12 8 8 6—34
First Quarter
F–Burns 1 run (Newbary kick)
T–Hoffman 55 pass from Ormiston (pass failed)
T–Hoffman 20 pass from Ormiston (pass failed)
Second Quarter
T–Trevor Cratty 31 pass from Ormiston (Orr run)
F–Pickering 5 run (Newbary kick)
Third Quarter
F - FG Newbary 35
T–Hoffman 23 run (Cratty pass from Ormiston)
F–Pickering 12 run (pass failed)
Fourth Quarter
T–Orr 30 run (pass failed)