The Shamrocks (6-5) travel to Preston Highway for their third round playoff game versus the Male Bulldogs (11-1) this Friday evening. The kickoff set for 7:30PM. The Bulldogs edged St. Xavier (7-5) 23-21 & Trinity handled the Manual Crimsons (9-3) 49-20. This contest is a rematch of the October 18 game won by Male 24-14.

 

In action this past Friday versus Manual, Trinity’s senior QB Reggie Bonnafon gained 164 yards on 14 rushing attempts and four touchdowns. Bonnafon added 237 passing yards, completing 12 of 18 attempts with 2 touchdowns. The Shamrocks amassed 434 total yards. Senior WR Cody Swabek caught a 16-yard TD pass and senior WR Drew Chandler added a spectacular 11-yard touchdown catch.

 

The Trinity defense held Manual’s offense in check most of the night. In the October meeting, Mason Motley, the Crimsons QB, burned the Trinity defense for 400+ passing yards. The Manual star RB, Micheal Nero was held to less than 50 yards rushing. This time Nero rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns. However, Motley, was limited to 124 yards through the air on 11 completions of 23 pass attempts.

 

Trinity’s defense will be called on to slow the Male attack on what promises to be a muddy field. Sr. LB Jack Harrison and Sr. DB Will Washle lead the defense headed into the final three weeks of the season. The Shamrock offense will be expected to control the ball with a balance of run and pass plays and will depend heavily on Sr. QB Reggie Bonnafon’s leadership. A total team effort will be needed by the Shamrocks to advance to the final four in the class 6A tournament.

 

Past Opponents still alive: Archbishop Moeller (11-1) soundly defeated the Panthers of Cincinnati Elder (9-3) 24-0 to advance in Ohio Division 1 playoffs. The Crusaders will play Colerain (12-0) this Saturday evening. Indianapolis Cathedral stands at 8-5 after their 56-28 defeat of Whiteland (9-3) on November 22 in 5A Indiana playoffs. Cincinnati Colerain remained undefeated with a 38-20 win over Pickerington Central (8-3). Carmel (10-3) defeated Mishawaka Penn (12-1) 28-13 this past week in the Indiana 6A tournament. Ensworth (9-1) defeated Christian Brothers (6-6) 40-11 in the Tennessee large school private division playoffs. The Tigers will try to avenge their only loss versus Brentwood Academy (8-3).

 

Future Playoff Opponents: Undefeated Scott County (12-0) continues to loom as the state semi-final opponents the day after Thanksgiving. The Cardinals battle the Blue Devils of Henry Clay (9-2). Simon Kenton (12-0) is the favorite to reach State final from the opposite bracket. The Pioneers travel to Shively, KY to face the Butler Bears (10-2) this Friday.

 

Trinity tidbits: Trinity now leads the Manual series 26-9. Trinity has scored in 218 games dating to October 1998. Trinity has lost one 6A playoff game. Trinity is 31-1 in 6A post-season competition. The Rocks all time playoff record is 127-21 including 22-4 in title games. Trinity has never lost a playoff contest that has gone into overtime (8-0). The Rocks have practiced on Thanksgiving morning the past 8 years and look to continue this tradition with a victory over Male. Trinity is 20-13-2 all-time versus the Bulldogs.

Nice write up. Thanks.

 

Go Rocks!