FOOTBALL: Clutch D helps Trinity topple Class A champ Edmund Burke

The Trinity Crusaders continued an early-season gauntlet as they hit the road to Waynesboro Friday night to face off with Edmund Burke Academy. 

The Spartans have been rolling the last few years, off of runs to win the AA state title two seasons ago and the Class A crown last season. They have also put up over 40 points in each of their last two matchups with Trinity.

Friday night was a much different story, as the Crusader defense came up huge all night to hand Edmund Burke a remarkable 3-0 shutout for just their third loss in three years’ time. 

Trinity, with credit to four takeaways, three fourth-down stops and a second-quarter Wade Register field goal for its only points, was able to get the win despite being more than doubled up in total yards.  

“(I was) very proud of our team’s effort,” head coach Bruce Lane said. “Our defense did a great job forcing three turnovers with one down on the goal line. The special teams was important again with a blocked punt, averaging 45 yards a punt and, of course, the field goal. Offensively, we did some good things, but we made a few mistakes that kept us out of the end zone. It was a great job by coaches of getting our kids ready.” 

The Crusaders got the ball first and went right to work, picking up a few first downs. The drive stalled after nine plays, and unfortunately, Register missed a 45-yard field goal attempt.

The two teams traded punts on their next possessions. The Spartans got one first down on their second drive, but were forced to punt again. Register broke through the line and was able block it, and Blake Sims would recover to set the Crusaders up with great field position.  

The drive also stalled, but Register would connect on a 28-yard attempt to give the Crusaders the 3-0 lead.

Trinity forced a turnover on downs and got a Register interception on the Spartans’ last two drives of the half, but the offense couldn’t get much going to capitalize.

Edmund Burke took the second half kickoff and marched right down the field, driving inside the Crusader 5 on 11 plays. But on the 12th, QB Noah Hickman would be hit in the backfield and fumble, allowing Trinity to take over and stop the scoring chance.

The Crusaders would go three and out again, and be forced to punt. But two plays after the change of possession, Braden Underwood stepped in front of a Hickman pass for another interception.

The Crusaders would fumble it right back to the Spartans, and put the defense back on the field. Edmund Burke drove fairly deep into Trinity territory again, but the defense came up with another turnover on downs to stop the drive. 

The Crusaders would finally put a solid drive together to take some valuable time off the clock and keep the defense on the sidelines. They would eventually be stopped on a fourth and two to give the ball back to Edmund Burke with under five minutes left in the contest.

The defense would have to come up with one final stop, but was again up to the task. After a couple of Spartan first downs, Trinity forced another turnover on downs with just over two minutes left in the game. 

The offense was able to pick up one first down and took a couple of knees to secure the win.

Register led the Crusaders with 60 yards on 16 carries while Jakob Sahli added 33 on seven rushing attempts to gain the bulk of Trinity’s offensive total, just 107 for the game. 

EBA, with 272, looked to Noah Hickman for 172 passing on 14 of 27 completions. He added 66 yards on 17 attempts rushing. 

Ryan Miles had six catches for 86 yards and Sam Hickman caught five for 66.

Register’s 18 total tackles, plus two for loss, also led the Crusader defense. Cody Register added three stops for negative yardage, joining Underwood with eight total. Griffin Lane tied Tripp Mascaro with seven tackles, and recovered one of the Spartans’ two fumbles. 

Trinity (2-1) will be back in action next Friday at home against Augusta Prep, looking to take its streak to three wins in a row.