Hico, W.Va. — Midland Trail moved to 2-0 with a 28-18 victory over Tolsia ( 0-2 ) on Friday at Patriot Field.
Tolsia QB Robert Evans talks to assistant Brien Runyon during a break in the action.
The Rebels fell behind 14-0 just five minutes into the game after the Patriots ran the opening kickoff back to the one yard line and Jayden Roop found paydirt and Jayden Gladwell found Preston Compton for the two point conversion. After a short punt from the Rebels set up the Patriots with dandy field position and on Gladwell hit Ian Harper from 20 yards out on 4th and 15 and it was a two touchdown lead for the Patriots.
Tolsia found the end zone for the first time this season when freshman Robert Evans hit Parker Watts who made a leaping catch and cruised into the end zone for 49 yard TD and it was 14-6 with 1:49 left in the first quarter.
After a stop on defense Midland Trail snapped it over the punters head to set Tolsia up around the 10 yard line and two plays later Watts scooted into the end zone to make it 14-12 with 11:36 left in the first half.
Later in the second quarter the Rebels faked a punt and the pass was batted down and the Patriots took over deep in Tolsia territory and Roop scored his second touchdown of the game a few plays later and it was 20-12 Midland Trail with 5:56 left in the first half.
In the third quarter after a Tolsia punt Midland Trail extended the lead on a Gladwell 20 yard touchdown to 15 and the two also connected on the two point conversion pass to make it 28-12 Patriots with 8:37 left in the third period.
On the Rebels next possession Robert Evans scored on a 10 yard QB keeper to cut the lead to 28-18
with 5:16 left in the third period.
After that the two teams settled down defensively and neither offense could muster any more points and the final score was 28-18 Midland Trail.
Tolsia will be off next Friday before playing at home for the first time this season versus Van on September 15th.
Midland Trail will host county rival Meadow Bridge next Friday.
Head Coach David Thompson talks to his team after a loss versus Midland Trail.
Tolsia Head Coach David Thompson
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… We played a lot of freshman tonight with all the injuries we’ve have had so far but what an effort from everyone. So, so proud of this group of players and coaches to not quit when we fell down early. They fought all night long and I’m grateful and also excited to get back to work next week and keep improving week in and week out.”
“… Sometimes to turn the corner you have to have something go right and boy did it on that touchdown pass from Robert Evans to Parker Watts. That really ignited us and it showed the rest of the game. After that touchdown our defense got a stop and we got the short field and punched it in and had a chance to tie it up. We are a work in progress but I can still see the effort from our guys.”
“… I thought our young guys stepped up but it’s tough for 14 year olds to go against 18 year olds… but man I’m excited for what the future holds for these Rebels. Looking forward to our bye week upcoming it will do us good and hopefully get some guys back against Van. First couple of weeks hasn’t been kind to us but we survived and will be ready to play at home in a couple weeks.”
