DEERFIELD, Ill. - A red-hot start for the visitors proved to be enough to spoil Homecoming Saturday, as Trinity International fell to the St. Xavier Cougars, 77-21 at Leslie Frazier Field.
Box Score | Season Stats
The Trojan defense struggled to stop their opponents, as the Cougars (4-5, 2-1 MSFA Midwest) scored touchdowns on their first nine drives of the day. On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore running back
Isaac Branch posted a career-high 224 rushing yards with two touchdowns, but seven turnovers throughout the game kept the Trojans (1-7, 0-4 MSFA Midwest) from keeping up with the Cougars.
A missed field goal on Trinity's first drive of the day kept the Trojans off the scoreboard throughout the first quarter, while St. Xavier posted 35 points on five first-period possessions.
J.J. Burmeister found
Cory Windle for a 15-yard touchdown reception for the Trojans' first score, capping a 12-play drive with 13:50 left in the second quarter. Two stalled drives, an interception returned for a touchdown, and a missed 4th-down conversion kept Trinity from climbing back into the game throughout the rest of the first half, as St. Xavier would claim a 63-7 advantage at the break.
Trinity came out strong to start the second half, moving the ball 75 yards in just five plays and finishing with a 37-yard rushing touchdown from Branch. St. Xavier responded with a touchdown drive of their own, increasing the deficit to 70-14 with 11:35 left in the third. Trinity's defense would get back-to-back stops following a turnover on downs from the Trojan offense, forcing a punt on one drive, and an interception from
Bradley Mowbray on the second. Mowbray recorded his third interception of the season, becoming the team leader in picks this season.
The third score of the day would come late in the fourth quarter, when Branch would break loose for a 43-yard touchdown run on the first and only play of the drive. The sophomore becomes the first Trojan to reach 200 rushing yards since 2012.
The Trojans return to Frazier Field next Saturday, October 29, when they host St. Francis (Ill.) Kickoff with the Saints is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
