By Becky Walz,
The Trojans entered Friday’s contest versus Tripoli with one thing on their mind — bringing home the win and at least a share of the district title. With Turkey Valley (5-1, 4-0) and the Panthers (5-2, 4-1) both undefeated in district play, it was no surprise to fans on either side of the field that the game was decided in overtime. It was, however, a surprise to many to see the Panthers forced to send in a back-up quarterback to throw a pass that was broken up by the Trojans and taken back for a touchdown and the win, 52-36.
“This was a great high school football game,” said Coach Mark Scott. “Offensively we ran the ball well but struggled throwing the ball. Oliver Schmitt, Carson Bruess and Noah Hanson all ran the ball well. The offensive front of Calvin Bodensteiner, Brady Fischer, Treyton Hulbert, Troy Schmitt and Chase Hayek did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage. Defensively we had made some adjustments to try and contain the quarterback. Even though we gave up 36 points I thought the defense did great with the game plan.”
The Trojans entered Friday’s contest versus Tripoli with one thing on their mind — bringing home the win and at least a share of the district title. With Turkey Valley (5-1, 4-0) and the Panthers (5-2, 4-1) both undefeated in district play, it was no surprise to fans on either side of the field that the game was decided in overtime. It was, however, a surprise to many to see the Panthers forced to send in a back-up quarterback to throw a pass that was broken up by the Trojans and taken back for a touchdown and the win, 52-36.
“This was a great high school football game,” said Coach Mark Scott. “Offensively we ran the ball well but struggled throwing the ball. Oliver Schmitt, Carson Bruess and Noah Hanson all ran the ball well. The offensive front of Calvin Bodensteiner, Brady Fischer, Treyton Hulbert, Troy Schmitt and Chase Hayek did a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage. Defensively we had made some adjustments to try and contain the quarterback. Even though we gave up 36 points I thought the defense did great with the game plan.”
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Highlights
After returning the kick-off into Trojan territory, Tripoli scored less than two minutes into the contest. After punting the ball away on their first possession, the Trojans ate up four minutes of the clock before Oliver Schmitt broke through tackles into the endzone from three yards out. Converting on the two-point pass from Noah Hanson to O. Schmitt, TV led 8-6 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Red and White defense kept the Panthers from moving down the field several times including an interception by Calvin Bodensteiner at TV’s 35-yard line. Carson Busta and O. Schmitt combined on carries to put the ball over the goal line for a 16-6 Trojan lead. That would not deter the Panthers as Tripoli scored twice before time expired to take a 20-16 halftime lead.
Looking to get back on track, C. Busta and O. Schmitt once again took turns carrying the pigskin into Tripoli territory early in the third period in a drive that was finished by C. Busta racing eight yards into the endzone. A failed two-point conversion attempt put TV on top 22-20. Then it was time for the Trojan defense to go to work, making tackles in the backfield several times before the Panther quarterback fumbled. Ryan Franzen jumped on the pigskin to give the Trojans possession at the Tripoli 20. In Hanson’s lone completed pass of the night, he found O. Schmitt for another TV touchdown and a 28-20 Trojan lead that held to the end of the quarter.
The final period began with a high snap going over the Tripoli quarterback’s hands and sailing out of the endzone for a TV safety. The Trojans took the next possession down the field once again and saw Hanson get stood up by the Panther defense. However, without the play blown dead, Hanson spun out of the web of defenders and waltzed his way 26-yards for the Trojan touchdown with 8:31 left on the clock. Not to be outdone, Tripoli recoiled and broke away on a 52-yard run to score and tie the game 36-36 and force overtime.
In overtime, the Trojans lost the toss and had to play offense first. One of the few times that TV didn’t gain 10 yards on a possession, and the Trojans failed to score. On Tripoli’s possession on the second play Brady Fischer tipped a pass by the back-up quarterback and Ryan Franzen picked it out of the air and raced 75 yards for the game winning touchdown.
“The win gives us at least a share of the district title and the No. 1 seed for playoffs,” noted Coach Scott.
The numbers
The Trojans had 404 yards with 401 coming on the ground attack.
Leading the charge was junior Oliver Schmitt with 33 carries for 218 yards. Carson Busta was also over the century mark with 14 carries for 119 yards. Hanson carried the pigskin 18 times for 58 yards, while Burke Busta had one carry for six.
On defense it was O. Schmitt again leading the Trojans with eight total tackles including three solo stops. Troy Schmitt provided seven total tackles and had three solo takedowns, while B. Busta was there for three solo tackles and six total. Franzen had the winning interception touchdown as well as a fumble. Calvin Bodensteiner also had an interception.
Regular season finale
Turkey Valley will finish the regular season with Senior Night in Jackson Junction versus West Central at 7 p.m.
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q OT F
TV 8 8 12 6 6 42
Tripoli 6 14 8 8 0 36
Scoring sequence
1st Quarter
Tripoli – Rowan Carlson 16-yd. run (2-pt. pass failed)
TV – Oliver Schmitt 3-yd. run (Noah Hanson 2-pt. pass to O. Schmitt)
2nd Quarter
TV – O. Schmitt 15-yd. run (Hanson 2-pt. pass to Carson Busta)
Tripoli – Carlson 1-yd. run (Carlson 2-pt. pass to Daniel Comer)
Tripoli – Carlson 2-yd. pass to Bryce Schroeder (2-pt. pass failed)
3rd Quarter
TV – C. Busta 8-yd. run (2-pt. pass failed)
TV – Hanson 3-yd. pass to O. Schmitt (2-pt. pass failed)
Tripoli – Carlson 20-yd. pass to Schroeder (Carlson 2-pt. pass to Giles Colwell)
4th Quarter
TV – Safety on snap out of end zone
TV – Hanson 26-yd. run (2-pt. pass failed)
Tripoli – Carlson 52-yd. run (Carlson 2-pt. pass to Comer)
Overtime
TV – Ryan Franzen 75-yd. interception return
Game stats
Total yards: TV 404
Passing (comp/att/yds): Noah Hanson (1-9, 3 yds., 1 TD)
Rushing (att/yds): Oliver Schmitt (33-218, 2 TD); Carson Busta (14-119, 1 TD); Hanson (18-58, 1 TD); Burke Busta (1-6)
Receiving (att/yds/TD): O. Schmitt (1-3, 1 TD)
Tackles (total): O. Schmitt (8.0); Troy Schmitt (7.0); Burke Busta (6.0); Brady Fischer (4.5); Chase Hayek (3.0); Calvin Bodensteiner (2.5); Ryan Franzen (2.0); C. Busta (1.5); Caleb Kurtenbach (0.5); Hanson (0.5)
Interceptions (no/return yds): Franzen (1-75 yds., 1 TD); Bodensteiner (1-0)
Fumble recoveries: Franzen (1-0)
Punts (att/yds): O. Schmitt (3-79)
Kick-offs (att/yds): Mauricio Tinajero (5-211); O. Schmitt (1-22)
Kick-off returns (att/yds): Hanson (4-36)
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