The Atlantic Trojans came out on the short end of a nail-biter on Friday night at Denison-Schleswig 31-28. The game was a methodical back and forth battle for about two and a half quarters before big plays took over down the stretch.

After a 14-all halftime score the Monarchs would score on their first possession of the second half to grab a 20-14 after a botched extra point attempt. The Trojans took a while to get the offense going in the second half but took a 1 point lead on a Chase Mullenix touchdown grab from Jaxson Eden with 11;53 left in the game. Trey Cappel’s extra point put Atlantic up 21-20.  Erik Jaime popped in a 22-yard field goal to give Denison the lead back 23-21 on the next possession. The teams would then trade three straight interceptions before a Denison punt gave the ball back to Atlantic with 3:02 to go on their own 7-yard line.

The Trojans mounted an improbable six play drive that traveled 93 yards and scored with 1:47 left in the game to lead 28-23. The drive was capped off by a 52-yard hook up between Jaxson Eden and Tyler Moen as he broke a tackle down the home sideline and scampered to paydirt.

But the Monarchs would answer right back.  Jaden Langenfeld had a terrific kick return that came out to midfield and set Denison up for the would be winning drive. Monarch quarterback Drew Polzin would hit Evan Wiebers for a 36-yard pick up on the first play of the drive. Three plays later the Monarchs scored on a Polzin lob to Cesar Rodriguez in the corner of the end zone. Rodriguez was right along the sideline but managed to make the catch on a jump and get his feet down in-bounds before falling over outside the boundary. Denison then lead 31-28. On Atlantic’s ensuing drive Rodriguez got his third interception of the quarter to seal the win.

Drew Polzin finished 11-16 for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns. Luke Staley led the ground game for the Monarchs with 81 yards on 17 carries and two scores.  Evan Wiebers led the Monarchs with 129 yards receiving and 1 TD.  Denison-Schleswig improves to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in the district.

In the loss Atlantic’s Jaxson Eden threw for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chase Mullenix caught 5 balls for 104 yards and one score.  Atlantic falls to 2-1 on the season and 0-1 in Class 3A District 7 play.

The Trojans return home to the Trojan Bowl next week to face Winterset.