Sports
Trimble Ends Eastern Hot Streak
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Trimble and Eastern’s defenses were both stout in the first half Friday night, but it was the Tomcats who spoiled Eastern’s Homecoming game, 39-0.
In the first 24 minutes, Trimble and Eastern combined for seven turnovers. A combination of turnover on downs, interceptions and fumbles led to a back-and-forth contest early, but the offenses had a tough time converting on opportunities.
Throughout the entire game, both coaches stuck with their offensive strategy.
Eastern quarterback Joey Scowden continued his impressive season running the ball for 86 yards against the Tomcats’ defense. Scowden also contributed for 64 yards through the air and three interceptions.
The running game of Standley and Bryce Smathers was working for Trimble, as the two combined for 124 yards on the ground. It was the passing game, though, that led to the two scores for the Tomcats in the first half.
Standley finished with 95 passing yards with one touchdown, and Wyatt Deak had a big night receiving. The junior finished with 127 yards on three receptions and two touchdowns. Deak also finished with two interceptions on the defensive side.
Following an Eastern turnover on downs, Trimble took the field with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter. That’s when Trimble Coach Phil Faires opened up his playbook.
Wide receiver Austin Downs completed a reverse pass to Deak for an 84-yard touchdown completion. The momentum shifted, as the Eagles went from possibly scoring the first points of the game to being down a touchdown heading into the second quarter.
The Eagles were unable to answer and were forced to punt from their own 19-yard line with 11:13 remaining in the first half. Downs returned the ball to the Eastern 36-yard line to set the Tomcats up in great field position.
Two short runs and a three-yard pass put Trimble in a tough fourth-and-seven situation on their 32-yard line.
Faires confidently kept his offense on the field. Standley rolled left and threatened to run, but kept his eyes down the field where he found Downs for a 32-yard touchdown pass. A missed extra point put the Tomcats up, 13-0.
From there, it was all Tomcats. Trimble outscored the Eagles 28-0 in the second half and finished with 357 total yards. Eastern finished with 200 yards with 75 percent of them coming from Scowden.
The Tomcats improved to a record of 6–1 overall and 4–1 in the TVC Hocking. Eastern’s loss drops them to a 4–3 overall record and 4–2 in the conference.
Trimble takes on Belpre (2-3, 2-6 MVL) at home next week, and Eastern travels to Doddridge County, as the Eagles try to bounce back from this week’s loss.