The Potosi Trojans Junior Varsity Football team battled the Central Rebels in a contest Monday, September 28 at Rebel Field. They were defeated in the contest 35-26, but a fourth quarter spark by Blake Coleman and TJ Pickett gave fans hope.

The Rebels scored quickly to start the game giving the Rebels a 6-0 lead after a blocked extra point attempt. The Trojan’s quickly tried to answer with Blake Coleman finding Hunter Kincaid on the first play of the drive. Ultimately the running game for Potosi was stopped and they were forced to punt. The Rebels then threw a 35 yard touchdown and went for a two point conversion which gave the Rebels 14-0. Trojans were forced to punt again on their second drive, right before the end of the 1st.

The Rebels ran the ball through the end zone to make it 20-0 after a missed field goal. Potosi’s running game remained silent in the third having to punt again. Central scored again with 3:06 left in the 1st half with a two point conversion to make it 28-0. The Rebel defense stopped the Trojans and they were forced to punt. With short time before halftime, the Rebels scored again with a good extra point to end the half 35-0.

The Trojans kicked off to the Rebels to start the second half. On the first play of the second half, the Trojans forced a safety, making it 35-2 while getting the ball back. Potosi came out hot as Blake Coleman tracked down Carson Saunders for a 15 yard gain and a 4-yard pass. The Trojan running game slowed the pace down running out of time in the third quarter 35-2.

Potosi scored their first touchdown at the beginning of the 4th quarter from a pass to TJ Pickett, making it 35-8 after a failed two-point conversion. The onside kick recovered by the Rebels was quickly forged as they were forced to punt for the first time this game. Some big plays such as Blake Coleman’s 32-yard pass and Gage Mosier’s 30-yard run put the Trojan’s in good field position. Blake Coleman ran the ball into the endzone for a 10-yard run to make it 35-14 before a failed two-point conversion.

Potosi onside kicked and recovered it placing them at the 49-yard line. Potosi’s Hunter Kincaid received a pass and gained 27 yards, immediately Gage Mozier followed up with an 11-yard run to put them near the goal line. Another touchdown pass to TJ Pickett shortened the margin to 35-20 before a failed two-point conversion. The Trojan’s then again recovered a successful onside kick. Blake Coleman quickly threw a 48-yard pass to Carson Saunders for a big touchdown. After a missed extra point attempt the score was 35-26. The Trojan’s then did not get the onside kick and the Rebels let the clock run out by taking a knee.

Blake Coleman finished the night converting seven passes for 3 touchdowns and scrambling for another. Blake Coleman said, “It was a good game towards the end. I thought we could have done better to start off the game.”

Head JV coach Joe Portell kept his post-game interview short and sweet saying, “Keep swinging, no matter how many times you get knocked down, get up.”