Despite loss, Trojans exhibit positives against powerful Rams

New Kent linebacker Tyler Jenkins (9) forces Lafayette running back Caleb Kraegenbrink to fumble. The turnover set up the Trojans' lone touchdown.

Alan Chamberlain photos

A lot of positives surfaced for New Kent’s Trojans even though they lost 41-7 tonight (Thursday) to Lafayette’s unbeaten Rams, the state’s number two ranked 3A football team.

Shaking off fumble and punt returns for touchdowns that handed the host Rams a 14-0 lead before the game reached three minutes old, the Trojans maintained possession for most of the first half, relegating the potent Ram offense to the sidelines. Not counting punts, the Trojans ran 37 plays from scrimmage to the Rams’ 14 in the first half.

“One of our goals was to try to control the ball and keep our defense off the field,” said New Kent head coach Dan Rounds. “We wanted to play hard and execute, and I thought we did a fairly good job with that.”

Trailing 14-0, the Trojans unleashed a 14-play, 67-yard march that reached the Ram 19 yard line before running out of downs. A nine-play drive on their next series stalled at the Ram 38. Trent Orie’s 56-yard run on New Kent’s subsequent possession penetrated the red zone once again, but a fourth down pass from the Ram 16 fell incomplete.

Lafayette, meanwhile, made the most of its 14 first half plays to add a pair of touchdowns for a 26-0 lead at the break. Two quick scores when play resumed completed the Rams’ point total.

The Trojans, however, forced three Ram turnovers, including a fumble late in the game that set up their lone touchdown. A hit from linebacker Tyler Jenkins jarred the ball loose from Ram running back Caleb Kraegenbrink. Defensive back R.J. Morris recovered at the Ram 10 yard line. With 27 seconds to play, Orie connected with Jenkins on a 4-yard TD pass over the middle.

“We had four trips inside the 20 tonight and scored on one against a very good team,” Rounds said. “A couple of balls rolled our way tonight and we made some plays. I think we took another step.”

And the injury-plagued Trojans emerged unscathed. “Everybody that played tonight is healthy,” the coach added.

The Trojans are 1-7 as they head into their final two regular season games at home with Bruton on Oct. 31 and Warhill the following Friday.

“I told the team to take these next games one game at a time, but I feel we’re hitting our stride and playing well,” Rounds said. “If we can move the ball and make plays defensively, these next two are games that we can win and games that we may even be favored. We’ve just got to continue to play hard the next two weeks.”

New Kent defensive back R.J. Morris grabs an armful of Lafayette running back Derrick Harris just before making the tackle.