After a two-week hiatus due to Covid-19 quarantine protocols, the Collinwood Trojans traveled to Perry County to take on the Vikings. The Trojans didn’t bring a pandemic with them, but they did bring a very scary 3-headed monster in the form of Ward, Thompson, and Haddock. This monstrous Trojan rushing attack averaged 9 yards per carry on the night. Once the Vikings were out of defensive options, they stacked the box to try to subdue the monster, then Dayton Scott got involved and assaulted the Vikings through the air. There have been many references to a team’s backfield over the years, such as “Thunder and Lightning,” but usually only include two rushers. Collinwood’s version of Earth, Wind, and Fire is a rare combination and extremely effective. Joe Houston Thompson, representing the earth aspect, is solid, gritty, and well-balanced and proportioned as a runner. He is the perfect combination of speed, quickness and power. He finished the night with 78 yards on just 11 carries. Alex Haddock runs the football like the wind. He is patient and waits for the right moment before he shifts and blows past defenders. Haddock finished the night with 77 yards on 1 carry less than Thompson. Finally, Peyton Ward would be the Fire in this trio. Ward is a fiery competitor who mimics a firefighter dragging people from a burning building when he rushes, but instead of “dragging from,” Ward rather drags defenders to first down markers and end zones. #5 had 100 yards exactly on his 11 carries. Obviously, the big offensive line for the Trojans set the stage for these performers to entertain. These “Big Nasties” dominated the line of scrimmage, creating holes large enough for that throwback moniker of “Earth, Wind and Fire” to time warp into existence under the Friday night lights.
Collinwood took the opening kickoff and marched down the field. Once Perry County was prepped for the run, Dayton Scott hit Peyton Ward in the flats for an easy pitch and catch that resulted in the first Trojan touchdown in three weeks. Scott decided he wanted 2 more points by hitting Joe Houston Thompson with a dart, securing the points after. Alex “the wind” Haddock got into the end zone on the next drive from 10 yards out, following a Viking fumble on the kickoff. With the Trojans up 16-0 after Peyton Ward bulldozed his way in for the 2 point conversion, Ward decided to try his hand at the aerial attack. On a halfback toss, Ward was hit almost immediately but managed to flick the pig skin to Joe Houston Thompson, who reversed field and scampered 23 yards to pay dirt. Ward again plunged into the end zone for the extra 2, making the score 24-0 going into halftime. After a steady rushing attack down the field in the Trojan’s first possession in the 3rd quarter, Dayton Scott took back the passing duties and found Nick Sanderson for a 29 yard touchdown pass. Scott would finish the night completing 5 of 8 attempts for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. This touchdown catch makes 3 touchdown receptions for the freshman Sanderson in his first 3 high school games. The rushing attack struck again late in the 3rd quarter when Joe Houston Thompson rotated through the Viking defense for a touchdown run of 21 yards. Drake Ray outran the defense to the pylon on a jet sweep for the 2 point conversion. Trojans on cruise control, leading 38-0. Entering the 4th quarter, the Trojan junior varsity took over. Perry County was able to put together a sustained drive and score on a 4th down and 13 to go by completing a pass to a wide open receiver. Collinwood’s younger running backs took the final kickoff and picked up where the 3-headed monster left off. Lane Makara took his 1 carry 28 yards before being tackled. Then Blake Whitten got in on the action with a 29 yard scamper on his only carry. With a running clock in the 4th quarter, Collinwood only had 4 offensive plays. The game ended with Fletcher Thompson going down on the 1 yard line, allowing the clock to run out.
Defensively, Collinwood was “Lights Out.” The Varsity defense only gave up 48 yards total on the night. That same defense also only surrendered 5 first downs, with 3 of the 5 coming on penalties. The defense also caused 2 fumbles on the night that resulted in Trojan Touchdowns. Defensive leaders for the Trojans were Griffin Pigg and Peyton Ward, both with 9 tackles each. Lane Makara finished the night with 7 tackles, followed by Nick Sanderson with 6. Landon Lovelace caused the one offensive fumble by the Vikings and Drake Ray scooped it up for the Trojans.
The Trojans travel to Zion Christian this week for another Region Match-Up. Come on with it, boys!—Submitted
