Trojans football earns defensive victory, 6-2
<p>Junior Sean Opland on the carry first quarter vs. Ronan Sept. 12.</p>
On a score more befitting of a baseball game, the Troy Trojans (1-2) won 6-2 against Cut Bank on Friday.
Troy junior Sean Opland provided the game’s sole offensive burst when he ran 94 yards on a pitch.
“We put Sean in motion, he made one cut, picked up two good blocks and he was off to the races,” Troy Coach Brendan Miller said. “There is no catching him from behind.”
The Wolves hounded Opland all game, targeting him defensively with two or three players. Quarterback Pate Scott capitalized on the distracted defense, running for 72 yards on 12 carries. Scott broke from the pack on the third play from scrimmage and had nothing but grass ahead of him before inadvertently stepping out of bounds while checking for chasing tacklers. The Trojans, much like the Libby Loggers, seem to have eschewed the passing game this season. Scott completed two passes for zero yards, but the Trojans gained 195 yards on the ground.
The road contest marked the return of three starting Trojan linemen. Junior lineman Kolten Winebark led Troy defensively with six tackles for loss, including two sacks. Opland recorded 20 tackles.
The Wolves had a chance to steal a victory when they had first-and-goal from two yards out with 2:30 remaining, but the Trojans made four straight stops to seal the victory.
“Our defense was outstanding,” Miller said. “Trinity Rice had an interception and forced fumble from his safety position and it was huge having our lineman back. We left a few scores on the board, but we definitely made huge strides.”
After alternating between Scott and sophomore Dillon Savage at quarterback, Miller said he plans to stick with Scott, the better runner of the two.
“We did play a baseball game, and we are going to have to score more than six points if we are going to win many more games going forward,” Miller said. “But that was a tough game against a tough opponent.”
The Trojans are scheduled to travel Friday to Plains, but the game may never be played due to a lack of participation in Plains. Miller said the Horsemen had to forfeit last week when they only had 12 eligible players. Plains will announce plans later this week.