Saints utilize run game in 52-0 Prairie View win

Published 12:29 am Saturday, September 21, 2013

BASTROP, La. — For the second time in three weeks, Trinity Episcopal scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams as the top-ranked Saints defeated the Prairie View Academy Spartans 52-0 Friday night.

Because of the weather conditions, Trinity head coach Josh Loy said his team had to change its game plan from a passing attack to a ball-controlled running game. The Saints finished with 278 yards on the ground on 25 carries and 15 first downs.

“We played in a torrential downpour. We were not able to throw the ball at all,” Loy said. “But we got our running game going. We had several ball carriers tonight. We accomplished what we needed to do.”

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Dra’ McCoy started the rout when he returned the opening kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion run failed, giving the Saints a 6-0 lead. Demarcus Fleming, who led the team in rushing with 89 yards on seven carries, scored both of his touchdowns in the first quarter. The first was an eight-yard run at the 6:59 mark and the second was a 29-yard run with 5:11 to go. Trey Hall ran in for two after each of Fleming’s touchdowns.

Trinity continued its offensive juggernaut in the second quarter. Michael Whitley scored on a seven-yard run, Jacob Sandrock recovered a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, and Hall scored on a three-yard run. Fleming had a pair of two-point conversion runs and Stewart Malory ran in for two that gave the Saints a 46-0 halftime lead.

Hall had five carries for 86 yards. Whitley had two carries for 30 yards and was 3-for-6 passing for 80 yards with no interceptions.

Caleb Cross finished off the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. That was his only carry of the game.

When Trinity wasn’t scoring, its defense was having its way with Prairie View’s offense. The Saints held the Spartans to one first down and 23 yards of total offense. The Spartans managed just four rushing yards on 11 carries.

“Our defense played outstanding,” Loy said. “We scored another defensive touchdown, and that’s the third week in a row we’ve done that. We’re playing really good on that side of the ball.”

Trinity Episcopal (5-0) will be on the road again at 7 p.m. Friday when it takes on Bowling Green School.