The Atlantic Trojans took care of business on Friday night in Perry, defeating the Bluejays 33-7. Senior running back Ethan McNeal collected 147 yards on 15 carries and got into the end zone five times. The Trojans dominated the line of scrimmage all game, forcing two fumbles including a strip sack in the third quarter on Perry’s first drive of the second half.
Perry’s first drive of the game looked promising, taking up 7.5 minutes of game clock. They were down near the red zone when they decided to go for it on 4th down and were unsuccessful in large part by a phenomenal tackle by Zander Killion. Tackling was the key all game for the Trojans. They forced a two fumbles and a three and out on the next three Perry drives. Atlantic capped off their first drive on a touchdown rush by Ethan McNeal.
It was all McNeal in the first half, scoring four of his five touchdowns on the day in the first half alone. On the next drive the Blue Jays botched the snap and Roland Hinman fell on top of it. It was McNeal again for the score from the 1 yard line to put Atlantic up 13-0. He would score twice more in the half including a 61 yarder.
The second half was more of the same, just less scoring. McNeal tacked on his fifth and final touchdown in the third quarter to make the game 33-0. Atlantic pulled their starters with a minute to go. Perry got on the board late in the fourth and the score held at 33-7. Atlantic now sits at 4-2 and 2-0 in the district. Head Coach Joe Brummer gave his keys to their great victory in Perry.
The turnover on downs on Perry’s first drive of the game gave Atlantic the momentum they needed the rest of the way:
Atlantic won the turnover battle yet again which has been a huge part of their three game win streak:
Each win holds even more significance for a Trojans team that can now say they are officially in the playoff race:
The Trojans sit at 4-2 and host Greene County next week.
