FOOTBALL: Trinity churns out key runs, stops to conquer Augusta Prep, capture third-straight win

Trinity’s defense was stellar once again, and its offense solid in a season-best performance, as the Crusaders returned home Friday night for a non-region matchup against Augusta Prep and ran their win-streak to three with a 28-7 win. 

Wade Register ran for three touchdowns, his first of the season, and 116 yards on just 13 carries, while again leading the Trinity defense in tackles and physicality. 

Great nights by others, including Jakob Sahli with a rushing touchdown and over 100 total yards and other standouts on the defensive side, helped the Crusaders (3-1) put the Cavs away in the second half of a game that was still in question until the fourth quarter. 

“I’m proud of our kids’ effort,” head coach Bruce Lane said. “Defensively, we continue to play well. We had a great goal line stand right before the half, and two more interceptions tonight. Wade and Jakob rushed for nearly 200 yards and provided some big plays. Just another solid game all the way around.” 

Trinity took the opening kickoff, but was forced to punt. Register hit a long, high kick that bounced out of bounds at the 12. 

Augusta Prep would go three and out as well after Tripp Mascaro led a third down sack, and be forced to punt out of their own end zone.

The Crusaders took over in great field position at the Cavalier 38, and would need just five plays to put points on the board as Register scored from three yards out.  

The key play of the drive was a 20-yard screen pass from Sahli to Register to set up the touchdown. 

After another Cavalier punt, Trinity took over at its own 38. This time, the Crusaders would march 62 yards for another TD. Sahli kept the ball on a read option and outran the defense 37 yards to paydirt to put the Crusaders up 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter. 

That would remain the score at the half thanks to a huge defensive stand just before intermission.

After a failed fourth-down gamble from their own territory, the Cavaliers redeemed themselves by forcing a Register field goal try that just missed, then drove 75 yards to threaten with goal to go at the Trinity 5. 

The Crusaders stopped them on three straight plays, then on fourth down, Register picked off a Carter Chavous pass as time expired to keep the shutout. 

Trinity would extend its lead in the third quarter, when Register scored from 24 yards out.  The touchdown run would cap a 50-yard drive and put the Crusaders up 21-0.

Augusta Prep finally got on the board on its next possession as Chavous, on second and eight, found Stephen Stallings on a 78-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-7, and keep the Cavs within striking distance. 

Chavous, however, was injured on the play and never returned to the game. 

Trinity was forced to punt again on its next possession, and the Cavaliers – with their running backs Austin Luke and Immanuel Telfer alternating snaps in a wildcat backfield – drove past midfield looking to cut into the lead even further with plenty of time still to go. 

But the Crusader defense stood tall once again as Griffin Lane picked off a pass to get the ball back at the Cavs’ 46.

A couple plays later, Register would score his third touchdown of the night, this time from 35 yards out, to put the Crusaders up by the final 28-7.

Register finished with 14 tackles. Braden Underwood also reached double digits with 11 stops. Mason Lane and Tripp Mascaro had nine and eight respectively, with each also recording a sack.

Sahli ran for 76 yards on seven carries and was also 4-for-9 for 34 yards passing.

Augusta Prep, thanks to the leg of Register on kickoffs and punts, started only one of its nine possessions outside of its own 20-yard line. 

Trinity (3-1) will be back home next Friday for homecoming as it hosts Windsor.