BASTROP, La. — The Trinity Episcopal football team did not take long to put its game against Prairie View Academy away Friday night.

The Saints jumped out to a 20-0 lead after one quarter and led 35-0 at halftime, en route to an easy 41-0 victory.

“Our defense forced some turnovers and gave us good field position, and we were able to capitalize,” Trinity head coach Josh Loy said.

Trinity intercepted three Prairie View passes in the game, and the Saints offense dominated on the ground and rushed for 243 yards. The Saints defense held the Spartans to minus-32 yards rushing and minus-10 yards of total offense.

“Our defense played great tonight,” Loy said. “We didn’t give up many first downs. We clamped down and probably had our best defensive effort of the year. We got a number of turnovers and set the tone for the game.”

 

Trinity starting quarterback Garrett Vinson had an injury that limited his playing time Friday night, and backup Wyatt Boothe stepped in and rushed for 45 yards in Vinson’s absence.

“He hasn’t had hardly any snaps, and he came in and managed the offense pretty well in the second half,” Loy said. “He made some plays with his legs, and to do that with very little experience was big for us.”

Loy said Vinson should be healthy by next week’s game against Oak Forest.

Demarcus Fleming started the scoring for Trinity with a 9-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Tanner Cage followed that with a 65-yard run, and Arzell McCoy finished off Trinity’s 20-point opening quarter with a 20-yard interception return for a score.

Cage finished the game with 83 yards rushing, and Fleming finished with 67.

Cage made a big play on special teams early in the second quarter when he broke free on a 59-yard punt return for a score. Fleming added a 1-yard run six minutes before halftime to push Trinity’s lead to 35-0.

Boothe scored the final touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run.

Michael Iles had two interceptions in the game to go with McCoy’s defensive touchdown.

Loy said Friday’s win was huge heading into three tough games to finish the regular season.

“It keeps our momentum going,” he said.

Trinity (6-2) will host Oak Forest next week.