Trinity tears it up on ground, takes another big road win at Augusta Prep

After losing big at home last week, the Trinity Crusaders went on the road for the second time this season Friday as they traveled to Augusta to face the Augusta Prep Cavaliers. 

Trinity again found itself in a dogfight, but found a way to come out on top with a 28-21 win to even its record at 2-2 on the season. 

After both teams exchanged punts on their opening possessions, Augusta Prep was able to get on the board first. Austin Luke broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run to cap a four-play, 66-yard drive to give the home team a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter.

The Crusaders took the ensuing short kick and went right to work themselves. On the seventh play of the drive, Tayt Evans broke free for a 15-yard scoring run. The extra point was blocked, and the score was 7-6 APDS late in the first period.

Neither team did much in the second quarter as the Cavaliers punted twice, and the Crusaders threw an interception and turned over on downs.  

Trinity took the second-half kickoff and went right to work driving into the Augusta Prep red zone. Unfortunately, the turnover bug would bite the Crusaders again as the drive stalled with a fumble.

The defense would hold strong to force another punt and a personal foul penalty set Trinity up in prime scoring position at the Cavs’ 29.

On the fourth play of the drive, Will-J Harris would rumble in from 12 yards out for score. The two point conversion was successful and the Crusaders led 14-7.

Augusta Prep got a solid kickoff return to set itself up in plus territory on the next possession. Again the Trinity defense would stand tall as it forced a turnover on downs to get the ball back late in the third quarter.

Trinity would then put its best drive of the night together to extend the lead and use some clock. The Crusaders would march 62 yards in seven plays, as Harris rumbled 25 yards to paydirt for his second score of the evening to extend the lead to 21-7 midway through the final quarter.

Trinity may have felt comfortable with the lead, but that momentum was short-lived. Carter Chavous took the ensuing kickoff at the 18 and broke free for an 82-yard TD to cut the margin in half just seconds later, 21-14.

The Cavaliers attempted an onside kick but were unsuccessful and Trinity again took over with good field position at their 47.  Four plays later, freshman Sam Owens ripped off a 30-yard scoring run to put Trinity up 28-14 with under three minutes remaining in the contest.

Augusta Prep would not go quietly. On the third play of its next drive, Chavous conected with Luke on a 43-yard catch and run to make the score 28-21 with just 1:31 left in the game.

Fortunately, the Crusaders were able to recover another onside kick attempt and hold on for the victory.

Trinity had its best offensive showing of the season despite not completing a pass. 

The Crusaders would rack up 307 yards on the ground and 18 first downs.  Augusta Prep finished with 117 rushing, and completed the game’s only pass with the 43-yard touchdown. The Cavaliers managed just seven first downs and 93 of their 160 yards came on two plays.

Tayt Evans led the way for Trinity with 137 yards on 18 carries, while Harris had 113 on 13 attempts. Owens finished with 36 on just three runs. Harris and Andrew Helton led the defense with 10 tackles each.

Luke led Augusta Prep with 105 yards on 16 carries.

The 2-2 Crusaders will now welcome two-time defending state champion Brentwood to the Cleve next Friday looking for their first home win.