By JOE NAGY
Staff Writer
The Trojans fell to the Warriors by a score of 24-21 last Friday in a final grudge match. Due to the loss, the boys in blue are now out of CIF playoff contention. Finishing third in league tied with Woodbridge and Irvine, University ended the year 7-3.
The first quarter was tied at 0-0 with an interception by safety Josiah Henry (Jr.) as the biggest play.
The Warriors scored first on a touchdown run by Connor McBride. After a successful extra point attempt, the score was 7-0 early in the first with Trojans trailing.
The score stayed the same up until a last second field goal attempt by the Warriors. The field goal was deflected and the ball was recovered by defenseman Austin Lake (So.). However, after taking a step back into the end zone, two Warriors brought him down for a safety. The score at the half was 9-0.
The Warrior offense was led by all PCL running back Connor McBride, who scored 2 touchdowns and recorded 233 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards.
UHS was down by 24 points late in the third quarter and the ball was in the hands of quarterback Thomas Keeling (So.). With less than three minutes left in the third, Keeling threw a six yard touchdown pass to running back Alex Pourdanesh (Jr.). The Trojans went for two points and make it on a pass to tight end Nick Wetzel (So.). The score became 24-8.
On the next offensive drive, the Trojans finished on a five yard touchdown pass from Keeling to wide receiver Darrius Outland (Sr.). While going for two again, the Trojans fell short from the goal line and did not make it. The score remained at 24-14.
On the kickoff, University went for an onside kick and recovered the ball. After driving down field, another touchdown pass from Keeling to Outland put the Trojans on the board for a third time. After a strategic kick from Nick Loveland (Sr.), the score was at 24-21.
When the Warriors received another possession, they were able to run out the clock and ultimately win the game.
After a career high of two touchdowns Outland reminisced back on the season.
“I love these guys, I love the fans, and I’m going to miss it all when I go to FS (Fresno State),” Outland said. “It’s been a great ride and I know these guys will beat Woodbridge next year.”
With that in mind, as the Trojans rap up their season, all returners are likely to have this memory on their mind through the offseason.
For the sixth year in a row, the Trojans have been defeated by their cross-town rivals. As this game constitutes the last season for the class of 2017, many positive comments came from the seniors after the tough loss.
Star running back Sam Winder (Sr.) said, “I had so much fun and wouldn’t change anything, I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”
Another key player to this season was cornerback Jalen Robertson (Sr.). Robertson said,”It was a great way to go out. Although we lost the game, the boys went out fighting and there’s no better way to end the season.”
