Prep Football: Trinity Christian dominates Dominion
By CHRIS GIROUARD
Special to The Newnan Times-Herald
The ‘tri’ in Trinity Christian’s name on Friday against Dominion Christian, could have been used to describe its unstoppable, three-pronged running attack in a 42-0 victory at McKnight Field.
Three Lions running backs finished with more than 85 yards, and Trinity Christian's offense scored on its first six possessions during a rout of the Knights at East Coweta Middle School.
Still, despite its dominance Trinity Christian head coach Chris Hanson continues to try and keep his team focused on the big picture having already matched last year’s win total in three games this year.
“Overall (the game) was not bad,” Hanson said. “But we still have a lot of work to do. We came out tonight with better intensity and better focus.”
Hanson credited the strong play of his offensive line as the key factor in springing his three running backs to several big gains.
“The running game was good and the line blocked decent tonight,” Hanson said. “They didn’t get every block, but we were able to get some of our younger guys in there to get some experience.”
(To view photos from this game, please visit http://photos.times-herald.com/mycapture and click on Sports / Football to see the Photo Gallery.)
Bruising senior fullback Drew Gibson finished with 178 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries to lead the way.
Senior Jay Warner also broke the century mark on the ground with 135 yards on 10 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.
Junior Dee Snelling added some flash-and-dash on his 7 carries, netting 88 yards, including a 30-yards touchdown run.
The Lions racked up 350 yards offensive by halftime.
Their game-opening drive started at their own 9-yard line and lasted 10 plays, including nine runs, while eating five minutes off the clock. .
Quarterback Connor Adams also made good on his only pass attempt of the drive with a 9-yard hook up to Snelling. Gibson capped the march with a 2-yard run, untouched, up the middle.
In contrast, the Knights relied on a pass-heavy attack for much of the game. In their first drive, quarterback A.J. Wilson, just a sophomore, completed 3 for 4 passes for 20 yards.
The Trinity Christian defense was up to the task, however, and they slammed the door on the drive after six plays.
The Lions benefitted from the return of defensive back Daniel Shoates from injury, with the junior coming up with an interception during the win.
“Coach (J.P.) Weaver had a great (defensive) game plan coming into this game,” Hanson said. “We will fix some things for next week, but Coach Weaver has the defense coming around. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without this coaching staff.”
Trinity Christian's second drive on offense was more of the same. It lasted nearly 5 minutes and took the game into the second quarter. In 9 plays, all on the ground, and 70 yards, Gibson broke the plane again. This one was an 11-yard rumble and made the score 14-0.
At the half it was 35-0 in favor of the home team. Snelling made it 21-0 with his 30-yard run. Warner notched his score just 59 seconds later at 6:41 of the second quarter with a 50-yard bolt up the field, evading several would-be tacklers along the way.
A 34-yard run by Gibson capped the first-half scoring. His 16-yarder at 5:32 in the third closed out the scoring at 42-0.
“(Dominion is) a great team,” Hanson said. “It’s good to get a win. We will enjoy it for the weekend and get back to work on Monday.”
The Lions, 2-1, will spend the week preparing for Flint River on the road next Friday . the first of four straight road games.
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SCORING SUMMARY – Trinity Christian 42, Dominion Christian 0
Dominion Christian 0 0 0 0 – 0
Trinity Christian 7 28 7 0 – 42
1st Quarter
T – Drew Gibson 2-yard run (Cody Houser kick) 7:23
2nd Quarter
T – Gibson 11-yard run (Houser Kick) 11:03
T – Dee Snelling 30-yard run (Houser kick) 7:40
T – Jay Warner 50-yard run (Houser kick) 6:41
T – Gibson 34-yard run (Houser kick) 2:48
3rd Quarter
T – Gibson 16-yard run (Houser kick) 5:32
