In the buildup to Friday’s Trinity-Lafayette football game, a lot of attention was paid to last year’s matchup won by the Shamrocks, 70-14. One group that didn’t look back was Trinity, according to coach Bob Beatty.
“You guys kept bringing up last year,” said Beatty, referring to the media. “Well, it’s not last year, and I think our kids were intelligent enough to know that. I think they realized that on Tuesday when we ran 13” 40-yard sprints.
As a result, the Shamrocks – the top-ranked team in Kentucky’s Class 6-A Associated Press poll and the No. 19 team nationally in the USA Today Super 25 – again dominated the Generals, ranked third in the state 6-A poll. This time Trinity rolled 45-7 in Lexington.
In talking about the team’s preparation, Beatty kept referring to the team’s blueprint. That process has enabled the team to withstand the loss of 18 starters from last year’s 11-2 campaign and start this season 3-0.
“They’ve been at the top of the mountain for a long time,” Lafayette coach Eric Shaw said.
Quarterback Spencer Blackburn said the team isn’t young but simply inexperienced at the varsity level. That greenness didn’t show as Trinity scored on five of its seven first-half possessions. The Rocks had a touchdown called back on an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on another drive that ultimately ended in a Lafayette interception.
“We’re not accustomed to these kind of games, and that was a huge game tonight,” Blackburn said. “It’s just going to help us build our morale, our confidence.”
WOOD, UK COMMIT, HAS
TOUGH NIGHT VS. TRINITY
Lafayette quarterback Walker Wood faced his toughest challenge of the season Friday.
A week after the senior ran for 188 yards and three touchdowns and threw for two more scores against Boyle County, the University of Kentucky commit found the pickings slim against Trinity’s defense.
The Shamrocks made it a point to put pressure on Wood, which limited his opportunities to scramble. He ran just 13 times for just 22 yards. The pressure didn’t stop there, either, as Wood was often forced to make short passes. While he completed 11 of 17, he threw for just 65 yards. His longest pass, for 23 yards, came early in the fourth quarter, when Trinity led 45-0.
“I think just each of their players did their job well,” Wood said. “Us as a team, we’ve just got to go back and look at film and see what we’ve got to do.”
ST. XAVIER LOOKS FORWARD
TO GETTING TO FULL STRENGTH
St. Xavier coach Will Wolford was disappointed after his team’s 31-10 loss at Bowling Green on Friday but found plenty of reasons for hope as the season progresses.
“I’d like to think we’re in a position we can improve every week,” Wolford said. “I think we’ll be fine.”
For one, the Tigers’ promising groups of offensive linemen and receivers are gaining varsity experience. Second, a pair of offensive playmakers are set to return for Friday’s game against Central.
Senior quarterback Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati commit) has completed his two-game suspension to start the season. Senior receiver Blake Roshkowski saw limited playing time against Bowling Green but is showing signs of returning to form after suffering a torn ACL last spring in preparation for lacrosse season.
“No doubt about it, Blake is our most dynamic athlete on offense,” Wolford said.
The speedy Roshkowski had a team-high 19 receptions last season for 214 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for three touchdowns and had three returns (two kickoffs, one punt) for scores.
PURPLES DEFENSE IMPRESSES
Bowling Green’s victory over St. X was its fifth in the last six years, and the Purples’ defense keyed the latest win.
“That’s as good of a front seven as we’ll see,” Wolford said.
The Bowling Green defense displayed an impressive mix of size and speed, led by junior Devan Jackson (6-3, 197 pounds) with two blocked punts and two pass breakups.
Other defensive stars were senior defensive end Dalan Cofer (6-2, 218, 11 tackles, one sack), junior linebacker Justice Dingle (6-2, 230, nine tackles, one forced fumble), junior linebacker J’son Beason (6-0, 181, nine tackles, three tackles for loss) and freshman cornerback Vito Tisdale (6-2, 183, seven tackles).
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
* Kyree Hawkins accounted for 234 yards (133 receiving, 101 rushing) in Fern Creek’s 55-10 rout of visiting Moore. Hawkins had touchdown receptions of 35, 8 and 90 yards and also rushed for a 74-yard TD.
Devon Blincoe also rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers tallied 507 yards of offense.
* Desmond Miller rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on seven carries to lead Butler to a 25-22 victory at Western.
Western’s Kenneth Thompson carried 30 times for 158 yards, and quarterback Tyon Pearson passed for 210 yards and two scores.
* Dewayne Hall rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries to lead Pleasure Ridge Park to 45-7 blowout of Doss.
* Sophomore quarterback Austin Carr accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing) as Christian Academy beat Central 44-14.
Central is 0-3 for the first time since 1993.
* Junior running back Mario Convenuto rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries to lead Holy Cross to a 14-7 victory over visiting Providence.
NEWS AND NOTES
* Defending Class 4-A state champion South Warren saw its 17-game winning streak snapped in a shocking 17-16 loss to crosstown rival Greenwood.
The Spartans pulled within 17-16 on Kayron Namvong’s 5-yard touchdown run with 2:34 remaining, and they decided to go for a two-point conversion that would have given them the lead. But Greenwood defensive lineman Bradley Herman stopped South Warren quarterback Cameron Harrison to seal the Gators’ victory.
South Warren’s loss left Male with the state’s longest winning streak. The Bulldogs have won 18 straight after Friday’s 57-8 rout of Fairdale.
* Logan County’s state-long losing streak reached 36 in a 47-7 loss at Apollo.
POWER FIVE
Each week Jason Frakes will provide his ranking of the top five teams in the state, regardless of class:
* No. 5 – Scott County (3-0). Kendrick Hamilton rushed for 205 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-33 victory at Highlands. Up next: Hosts Cincinnati Elder (1-1) on Friday.
* No. 4 – St. Xavier (1-1). Sam Taylor rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown in a 31-10 loss at Bowling Green. Up next: Hosts Central (0-3) on Friday.
* No. 3 – Male (3-0). The Bulldogs extended their state-best winning streak to 18. Up next: At Trinity (3-0) on Friday.
* No. 2 – Bowling Green (3-0). Clark Payne passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns and the defense dominated in a 31-10 victory over St. Xavier. Up next: At Owensboro (2-1) on Friday.
* No. 1 – Trinity (3-0). Spencer Blackburn threw three touchdown passes in a 45-7 rout at Lafayette. Up next: Hosts Male (3-0) on Friday.
GAME BALLS
Mario Convenuto, Holy Cross
The junior rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in a 14-7 victory over visiting Providence.
Jared Frank, Kentucky Country Day
The senior receiver finished with nine catches for 133 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-28 victory over visiting Washington County.
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.