Troy edges Eureka for homecoming win, 27-26

Breakout runs and just enough defense led the Troy Trojans football team past the Eureka Lions, 27-26.

The homecoming game started according to script when junior running back Sean Opland ran for a 64-yard touchdown on his first carry. Before many fans had their blankets unfolded, the Trojans (2-1, 3-3) were up 7-0.

Eureka responded on their first possession when sophomore quarterback Austyn Sherwood ran for a one-yard touchdown. The Lions could not tie the game when an unorthodox two-point attempt failed. The Lions took the lead on a touchdown with 2:25 left in the first quarter and again attempted, and failed, the same two-point play.

The two-point formation was unlike anything else the Lions ran. Only three players lined up in the middle of the field: the quarterback in the shotgun, the center and the running back. Split wide to each side are four players: two offensive linemen and two receivers. The two receivers line up in a bunch formation beside two crouching linemen. At first glance, it appears as though there are eight receivers. It intentionally looks weird, like a flag football play or something. The hope is that opposing defenses will be so confused by the formation that an obvious advantage will appear for the offense to exploit. The gimmick never worked on the Trojans and the points the Lions left on the field would make the difference in a close game.

With 9:50 remaining in the second quarter, Opland weaved his way to a 60-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Michael Miller made the score 14-12.

The Trojans forced a three-and-out on the ensuing defensive possession, but fumbled the punt return. Eureka recovered at the Trojan 45-yardline. On third-and-two, Eureka running back Garrett White fumbled. Junior safety Trinity Rice recovered and the Trojans looked to extend their lead before half.

After a holding call on first down, the Trojans rode Opland down the field before quarterback Pate Scott took the sweep right into the end zone from 13 yards out. Scott capitalized the score by plowing over a defender at the goal line. At half, the Trojans led 21-12.

The third quarter passed without incident. Eureka’s receivers were open on numerous plays, but passes consistently fell off receivers’ fingertips. Trojan lineman Kolton Winebark made several impressive tackles, manipulating his blocker at will.

With 5:45 remaining in the game, the Lions burst to life when 205-pound sophomore running back Matthew Anderson bulldozed two Trojan tacklers on his way to a 22-yard run. The draw play caught Troy by surprise. After a failed quarterback dive on the two-point attempt, the Lions trailed 21-18.

The ensuing onside kick never went 10 yards and the Trojans quickly capitalized on their outstanding field position. After Scott, who was announced as homecoming king at halftime, ran 30 yards on the sweep right, Opland rumbled in for a one-yard score. With 4:23 to go, the Trojans appeared in control with a 27-18 lead.

Eureka refused to go down quietly when senior Brandon Conard caught a 60-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline with 3:03 remaining. A successful two-point run brought the game within one point.

“He hit that kid right on the money,” Troy Coach Brendon Miller said. “We had double coverage on it, but that kid was pretty fast and just took off straight down the field.”

Senior Garrett Chapel recovered the onside kick and, again, a Troy win seemed certain. Scott broke a long run to the end zone, apparently sealing the win; but the play was called back when Rice was called for a block in the back, which is a shame because he legally leveled one Eureka player into another, executing the rarely seen double pancake. With the help of the penalty, the Lions forced a three-and-out, twice stuffing Opland runs up the middle.

“They’re a scrappy team,” Miller said. “They would not go away. They don’t have overwhelming team speed, but they are quick and excel in tight spaces.”

The Trojans were forced to punt with 1:32 remaining. Luck appeared to be on Troy’s side when the returner muffled the ball, but the oblong orb bounced awkwardly off a Trojan defender and directly into the awaiting hands of a Lion. The play ended unfortunately when a devastating helmet to the groin injured a Lions special teamer. The on-scene ambulance drove to the visiting side of the field and oxygen was provided for perhaps the most necessary five-minute injury timeout in prep football this year.

Needing to get into field goal range, the Lions offense stalled. On fourth down, Troy linebacker Austin Waldron blitzed Sherwood and hit the Eureka quarterback as he attempted to throw. The ball fell short of Eureka receivers and the celebration was on. Trojans jumped for joy as they looked toward the season-high home crowd.

“We could have had a real comfortable win, but that turned into a real nailbiter because we kept hamstringing ourselves,” Miller said.

The win ensures Troy control of their playoff fate. Currently second in District 7-B, the Trojans travel Friday to Thompson Falls (1-1, 1-6) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. A road win will guarantee the Trojans a playoff position. A loss would leave Troy looking at a number of tiebreak scenarios, all of which Miller would rather not concern himself with.

“We need to go in there and not have a letdown after an emotional win,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to bringing a big bus of fans with us. Hopefully they are loud and excited. It’ll be a big game with the playoffs on the line.”