Troy Buchanan had one final opportunity on Friday to demonstrate its capabilities to students, alumni, and fans before disbanding with an emphatic 45-10 victory against Fort Zumwalt West. It made no mistake.
Senior linebacker Elijah Morton played an essential role in that win. He broke up a trick play midway through the second quarter, then blocked Hunter Keene on fourth down long.
Trojans vs. Holt
Hunter Keene made a solid first impression as Troy Buchanan’s starting quarterback during their delayed season opener against Holt, leading his team to a 35-21 win with over 300 yards total offense and five touchdowns scored by himself and his teammates.
Due to excessive heat on Friday night, this game had to be moved to Saturday evening due to player safety reasons. Both teams got acquainted quickly despite playing under intense conditions; Troy scored first when Keene completed a 17-yard flip pass from Keene to Ethan Lollar for a 7-0 lead after just one quarter.
Rock Bridge’s defense was instrumental in keeping the Trojans at bay for much of the rest of the game, with junior hybrid linebacker/safety Crew Norden playing an instrumental role as he raced all the way back to their 18-yard line on third down, intercepting screen passes to prevent further Trojan scoring opportunities.
On their ensuing possession, the Bruins quickly gained control and began moving downfield. Following a holding penalty that negated a potential touchdown run by junior running back Dreyvn Seamon, Brady Davidson hit senior Nick Norden with a deep pass to reach two yards away before, on fourth and goal, he made another impressive play by blocking a Trojan snap and then securing it into the end zone for a touchdown score.
Brett Wiggers made his head coaching debut as Brett Nesbitt accepted a coaching role with Jackson this offseason, taking over for him after leaving for Trojan defensive coordinator Ryan Nesbitt to lead Jackson football. Wiggers led Troy to three sacks and three turnovers during his inaugural game as head coach before receiving the game ball from Troy activities director Jason Smith afterwards.
Trojans vs. Rock Bridge
Rock Bridge football ended a 10-year drought for district championships Friday night with an emphatic 38-7 win against Troy Buchanan in Class 6, District 2. Their performance was nothing short of outstanding as they cruised to victory, moving on to next week’s State Quarterfinal matchup against De Smet Jesuit.
Both teams struggled early in the first quarter. Troy’s opening possession ended with a fumble from RB Devin Holt at their two-yard line, while Bruins junior RB/WR Brady Davidson connected with Drevyn Seamon on a screen pass all the way down to Troy’s three-yard line on their next possession. They eventually had to punt, but senior LB Elijah Morton stopped a screen pass attempt by Troy and brought back control to their 18-yard line instead of punting on third down long before aged LB Elijah Morton stopped another screen pass attempt from being kicked on third down long!
Rock Bridge took control early and often in the second quarter, scoring two TD runs that put them up 34-0. On their opening possession of the third quarter, however, the Bruins got as far as one yard inside of Trojan territory before punting. A stellar punt by junior RB/WR Cooper Myers set up one of Rock Bridge’s two second-half rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Myers, Stefan Williams, and Derrick Young each contributed one touchdown as part of the running back-by-committee strategy employed by Rock Bridge.
Rock Bridge finished their win by capitalizing in the fourth quarter with two scores from Myers and Seamon – Myers’s run, followed by Seamon’s rush – sealing their victory with only minimal ground gains from Troy in the second half. Rock Bridge’s defense played well throughout, holding them to only minimal yardage on foot.
The Bruins advanced to the State Quarterfinals by winning 39-7 against De Smet Jesuit, defeating them 44-21 last season at Columbia in Columbia before moving on. Whoever emerges victorious will become the top seed in their respective state tournament.
Both teams can take great pleasure from their victories, yet both coaches realize there’s more work ahead. Their next target is making it to the Final Four on December 2. Fair Grove will host Rock Bridge, while Fort Zumwalt West will host Rock Bridge this Saturday.
Trojans vs. De Smet Jesuit
Troy Buchanan faces high expectations this year, following their school record of 26 conference titles won and appearances in three of four Final Four tournaments over the past four seasons. They boast some talented players, such as running back Jaden Jenkins and quarterback Brady Davidson, but this season is about winning a state title, so Troy Buchanan needs to get its act together and win this week against De Smet Jesuit.
In Class 4 District 7 quarterfinal play, the Trojans face a tough matchup with sixth-seeded Bruins in this Class 4 District 7 quarterfinal matchup. The victor will advance to play either Hannibal or Lutheran North in next weekend’s semifinals. Both teams have started strong this year: Pacific has won five in a row to claim its first district crown since 2009, while Aneyas Williams leads the Pirates with 48-point averages per game as their running back leader.
Rock Bridge’s success this season can be traced directly back to their rushing attack, which has averaged more than 150 yards in each victory this year and scored two touchdowns against Sullivan last week. Junior running back Drevyn Seamon will play an instrumental role in helping Rock Bridge get revenge against the Trojans for last year’s district championship game loss.
Rock Bridge will make its Class 6 state playoff debut and hope to regain its state title from Hannibal, whom they beat back in 1981 in Class 2.
Both teams are coming off impressive wins in the opening round of Missouri high school football playoffs. Trojans coach Matt Richert is pleased with how his team has performed thus far this season; five wins out of their first six games has earned them first-place ranking by Missouri Associated Press.
Trojans vs. Belleville West
This week, the Trojans faced an uphill challenge when facing off against Francis Howell Central’s Bruins, who boast an exceptional running game and defense that held back only three points during the first half.
After an early score by Rock Bridge’s rival Trojans in the second quarter, Rock Bridge quickly established control. Their offense was led by junior hybrid running back/wide receiver Dreyvn Seamon, who ran for gains of eight and five yards before catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brady Davidson.
Rock Bridge’s defense continued its strong play when senior linebacker Elijah Morton stopped a Keene screen pass on third and long. On fourth and goal, the Bruins stopped any forward progress by the Trojans.
Soon after that, Troy Buchanan scored on an early rushing score by the Trojans and quickly converted a two-point conversion attempt for them. Despite an early deficit, however, the Bruins managed to rally from it and lead 20-0 by halftime, thanks to their defensive unit’s efforts.
Jefferson City fell to Helias in the Class 4 District 5 championship game, Capital City lost to Duchesne, and Blair Oaks defeated Moberly en route to an undefeated season. Click here for further details from Friday night and here for the complete schedule.