Pacers use ‘Three Phase Trifecta’ to blast Trimble County, 21-6
Conventional wisdom dictates that there are three phases of a football game — offense, defense, and special teams.
All three phases played a big role in Friday’s night’s Switzerland County 21-6 victory over Trimble County (Kentucky).
“We have a lot of work to do in order to compete on both sides of he ball on a consistent basis, but I’m proud of how our guys finished the game after an emotional roller coaster of a first half,” Pacer head coach Ryan Jesop said. “And the honoring of the memory of a huge competitor to our football program, John Hayes.”
The roller coaster started with just 29-seconds left in the second quarter and the Pacers leading by a score of 14-6.
Junior Bryson Reynolds raced towards the Trimble County sidelines and made the defensive stop on the Raider runner, but in doing so suffered what was described as a ‘stinger’.
The player laid motionless and face down on the field while medical personnel came to his aid, taking great precautions to check Reynolds out before trying to move him. Eventually he was placed on a stretcher and taken off the field and to King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison for further examination — but as he was lifted into the ambulance, the Pacer crowd erupted as Reynolds gave the ‘thumb’s up’ sign.
Jesop said that Reynolds was released from the hospital later Friday night, and has been cleared by doctors to practice and play in tomorrow (Friday) night’s game at Milan.
The game opened in spectacular fashion, as Pacer sophomore Matthew Young fielded a Trimble County punt and raced 84-yards for the touchdown. That made the score 6-0, as kicker Ethan McClellan’s PAT try was no good.
The game then moved into the second quarter, where Switzerland County tailback Peyton Richards hit pay dirt after a three-yard run. Quarterback Alex Bailey then converted a two-point attempt, and the Pacers led 14-0.
Near the end of the second quarter, Trimble County scored what would be it’s only score of the contest on a 10-yard pass. The Raider two-point attempt was no good, and the teams went to halftime with the Pacers holding a 14-6 advantage.
After a scoreless third period, the scoring concluded in the fourth quarter — as the Switzerland County defense completed the “Three Phase Trifecta”.
With Trimble County on the move, junior lineman Hunter Smith intercepted a pass and took it the distance for another Pacer touchdown. McClellan’s PAT was good, providing the final score of 21-6.
Bailey was steady leading the Switzerland County charge all night, going 5-for-10 passing for 83 yards.
Kolvin Beck led the Pacer running attack, carrying six times for 16 yards.
Matthew Young had four receptions for 76 yards; and Naz Lieland had one catch for seven yards.
Defensively, Beck led the Pacers with eight tackles, two tackle assists, and four tackles for loss; while Ethan Jones had five tackles and five tackle assists.
Along with his Pick Six, Smith had four tackles, four tackle assists, and two tackles for loss; Matthew Young had two tackles, one tackle assist, and one tackle for loss; Michael Young two tackles and three tackle assists; and Darion Graham added two tackles, two tackle assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss.
Brevon May had two tackles, one tackle assist, and one tackle for loss; Ethan Weaver had two tackles and one tackle assist; Bailey had a tackle; Reynolds had a tackle and a tackle assist prior to the injury; Chazz Hartley had a tackle and a tackle assist; Colton Parks had a tackle and a tackle assist; Matt Markee had a tackle; and Lieland, Zack Scudder, McClellan, and Masin Stroud each had a tackle assist.
Along with Smith, Michael Young and Tyler Weber had interceptions in the game; and Parks added a fumble recovery.
Now sporting a record of 3-0, Switzerland County hits the road for a big game tomorrow (Friday) night at Milan (0-3) The Indians have yet to dent the win column, but their three losses have been to Rushville, Batesville, and Lawrenceburg — so it should be a close contest.
The Pacers then return home on Friday night, September 15th for a Homecoming game against Owen County; and then travel to Edinburgh on Friday, September 22nd.
That will be followed by a road game at South Decatur on September 29th; then its back home to wrap up the regular season with two games — the Indianapolis Crimson Knights on October 6th and North Decatur on October 13th.