Trinity Episcopal has yet to find many things that can slow them down through two games in the MAIS A-AA playoffs.

The Saints (5-6) have hit their stride, winning two consecutive road games and positioning themselves to within one win of reaching the state championship in Jackson. The only thing standing in their way is a semifinals road trip Friday at Tri-County Academy.
“It feels very good,” Roberts said. “We didn’t quite get the start we wanted to at the start of the season, but our kids have bought in here lately.”

Trinity was faced with a daunting schedule to open the year as it made road trips the first three weeks of the season. Roberts, however, said the brutal schedule has provided the Saints with what he thinks to be a district advantage.

“It’s made us who we are right now,” the first-year coach said. “We’ve got some really good, tough experience. We’ve learned to face adversity.

“You look at our schedule, and we’ve played some really tough teams. We’ve faced the No. 1 team in AA, a contender in AAAA (Copiah Academy) and Autauga Academy, they’re still No. 1 in Alabama, I believe. You talk about teams right there that were tough.”

Each of Trinity’s road playoff wins have come in impressive fashion, knocking off No. 3 Prairie View Academy last week and No. 6 Newton County Academy the week prior.

Trailing by six with two minutes remaining against NCA, Trinity tied the game with just 4 seconds remaining after quarterback Kevontaye Caston connected with brother Jakarius Caston on a 29-yard touchdown toss. Grant Falkenheiner then put his squad ahead with the extra point, giving the senior kicker a thrill he won’t soon forget.

“It was probably the most scariest point in my life so far,” Falkenheiner said. “I just went out there, and I knew if I did what I do in practice, that I could make it.”

Falkenheiner, who also serves as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Saints, said it’s a thrill for his team to have the success it’s had in his final campaign.

“Honestly, it’s kind of hard to believe,” Falkenheiner said. “Nobody picked us to be here, but we didn’t have any doubt in our mind that if we played at the high level we’re playing at now that we could be having the success that we’re having.”

Tri-County (11-1), the 2015 A-AA state runner-up, knocked off defending state champion Wilkinson County Christian Academy in resounding fashion last week, 42-20.

“Tri-County is going to be one of the most disciplined teams we’ve played all year,” Roberts said. “Their coaching staff does a great job. You watch them on film, and they just execute. Everything is very precise.”

Roberts and Falkenheiner both said the key for the Saints Friday will be execution.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence, but we know that Tri-County is a dangerous team,” Falkenheiner said. “We have to go into it knowing that we can win, but not with too much confidence.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.