A-

 

The Shamrocks started the year in good form, winning victories from TN powerhouses Brentwood and Ensworth. They returned to KY with an impressive victory against Lafayette and many fans looked forward to their game with Male. Male handed Trinity an ugly defeat (42-13) in commanding fashion and many fans were rocked back on their heels.

 

From there Trinity recovered and refined themselves, posting shutout against PRP and J-town. A rainy night with a lot of mistakes almost cost the Rocks a game with their rival St. X, but they hung on and kept the win (20-15). Trinity cruised past the rest of their district and the first game of the playoffs. The re-match with the Tigers was decisively won this time (34-7).

 

Male and Trinity met again in the regional final. Trinity pulled out all the stops and came close, but were unable to overcome Male (20-19) who went on to easily take the State Title.

 

This season was not Trinity's strongest, but they still had quality games againt the TN schools, Male, and St. X. I waffled briefly being B+ and A-, mostly based on Trinity's early performance against Male, but I felt that their improvement and considerably better playoff game earned them the higher grade. It's no mean feat to come within a point to a team ranked 8th in the nation.

I would agree with your grade. A loss to Male last year should not knock them from an A, while they may not have been as talented as previous T teams, which is tough to be, they performed well and improved throughout the season.

I would have gone with a B or B+ but I definitely see the logic and can't argue with the grade you went with in all honesty.

Lofty expectations in St. Matthews. Can't go wrong with giving the Rocks an A. They did everything they were supposed to do.

 

The way the coaching staff and team responded in the Male rematch showed me a lot about their competitive nature. Improved from a 29 point loss where some people argued that the team laid down in the second half to a 1 point nail biter.

 

I'm really interested what they return. Losing some big names (Burns especially, could be an NFL prospect if he keeps his determination) but T always reloads. I'm sure there are players in the program who are happy and some sad about the departure of the Harper brothers.

This year is a huge question mark. There is a lot of young talent, but it is unproven. History states, that they'll be fine....but they have to get out there and perform.