Trojans top Bulldogs, 34-21; finish season 4-4

The Troy Trojans (4-4, 2-2) closed their football season with a road win against St. Ignatius (1-7, 0-4), 34-21. The Trojans found themselves down 14-0 midway through the first quarter after allowing a long pass on their first defensive series and fumbling the ball away on their first offensive possession.

“I don’t know if the guys were overconfident or distracted with hunting season, but before the game I turned to one of my coaches and said ‘I don’t feel like the guys are ready to play,’” Head Coach Jim Dasios said. “But we didn’t panic. We didn’t start screaming and yelling and eventually we got things going.”

As usual, the Trojan offense exploded for several long scores. Sophomore running back Sean Opland sparked the Trojans with touchdown runs of 70 and 77 yards to make the score 14-12 at half.

The Bulldogs responded to start the second half when they scored the only special teams touchdown the Trojans allowed all season. Troy bounced back behind the arm and legs of senior quarterback Gabe Hickman.

Hickman ran for two second-half touchdowns and threw for another in a memorable finish to a solid high school career. In his last game, Hickman ran for 155 yards and threw for 154 on 11-22 passing.

“You don’t get someone like that very often,” Dasios said of his quarterback. “You don’t replace a Gabe Hickman. I said it all year, he can make something out of nothing.”

Junior receiver Gage Tallmadge made several key third-down catches and finished with seven grabs for 92 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion reception.

“Thank god (Tallmadge) decided to play this year instead of work as a student manager,” Dasios said.

Dasios made similar comments throughout the season about senior lineman Bruce Metz, who started as a freshman, but did not play his sophomore and junior years before playing a strong senior season. Metz stood out on defense, where he rushed the quarterback from his end position and played stoutly against the run.

Senior receiver Luke Haggerty was a touchdown machine this season, scoring three touchdowns in each of his first three conference games. What Opland was on the ground this season Haggerty was through the air, connecting with Hickman for several impressive long strikes.

Looking ahead, Dasios is unsure who his quarterback will be next season. The Trojans only lose five seniors, but as long as Opland mans the backfield the Trojans will be a force to be reckoned with. A strong receiving core of returning juniors Pate Scott, Michael Miller and Tallmadge will surely help whoever it is slinging the ball for the Trojans next year.

Sophomore interior lineman Jordan Herrick, all 250 pounds of him, improved during the season and could become a significant player with another year of lifting and learning.

“We got better every game this year,” Dasios said. “We will return a lot of young talent. I think a lot of teams are happy to know we will not be in the playoffs. They would not have wanted to face us in the first round.”

Dasios admits he has spent some time wondering what may have been had his team been able to convert just one more goal-line situation against Eureka two weeks ago. The Trojans were stopped at the Eureka five- and one-yard lines in the road contest that left few dry eyes on the bus ride home. Troy’s 24-23 loss eliminated them from playoff contention, but hindsight is 20/20 and close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

“Unfortunately, it’s all over,” Dasios said. “We expected to win this game and we did. St. Ignatius is a well-coached team who played a tough schedule and we respect them. It’s nice to end on a win. Overall this was a very good season. It’s the best we’ve had in a while.”