Trojans Tame the Lions 56-14 [PHOTOS]

The MDI Trojans Football Team was playing for pride on Friday, October 19th when they traveled to Belfast to play the Lions in the last regular season game of 2018. The Trojans were all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs prior to the game, but they played with a chip on their shoulders so big it resembled a 2x4 and routed the Lions 56-14.

MDI won the coin toss, and as is their custom, the Trojans elected to defer, getting the ball to start the 2nd Half. On the kickoff, Belfast took over on their own 29 yard line.

The Lions are a pass first team, and the Trojans were ready. On the 3rd play of the game, Sam Mitchell picked off Dylan Abbott's pass and brought the ball back to the 14 yard line.

It took just 3 plays and MDI was in the end zone, with Elijah Joyce scoring from 5 yards out. The 2 point conversion was no good and the Trojans were up 6-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Belfast returned the ball to the 27 yard line, but the MDI defense were playing inspired, and forced Belfast to punt the ball going 3 and out.

The Trojans took over at their own 39 yard line with 8:10 remaining in the 1st Quarter. 3 plays later Joyce was in the end zone, this time on a 48 yard run. The Trojans converted the 2 point play, with Joyce running in, and with 7:22 left in the 1st Quarter, MDI was up 14-0.

The Trojans then attempted an on-side kick, and recoverd the ball at the 42 yard line with 7:17 remaining in the 1st Quarter. 1 play later Joyce took the direct snap and ran in 42 yards for his 3rd touchdown of the night. The 2 point conversion attempt was no good and MDI was up 20-0 with 7:06 left in the 1st Quarter.

Belfast took the kick back to the 44 yard line. On a pass completion from Abbott to Jack Hansen of 11 yards, the Trojans forced a fumble, and Elijah Joyce came up with the ball and the Trojans were back on offense at midfield with 5:20 remaining in the 1st Quarter.

The Trojans brought the ball down to the 24 yard line on a 8 play drive. On the 9th play, from the 24 yard line Joyce lined up in the shotgun, and Baylor Landsman was as a receiver. Joyce lofted a pass to a wide open Landsman who was in the end zone, and when Hunter Gray ran in for the 2 point conversion, MDI was up 28-0 with 1:10 remaining in the 1st Quarter.

MDI recovered their 2nd onside kick of the night taking over at the 46 yard line. Again they efficiently drove down the field. This time it was a 7 play drive, taking 4:51 capped off by Joyce's 4th rushing touchdown of the night, a 9 yard run. The 2 point conversion was good, with Joyce rushing, and with 8:36 left in the 1st Half, MDI was up 36-0.

Belfast took over on their own 38 yard line with 8:28 and again the MDI defense forced the Lions to punt. The Trojans took over on their own 28 with 6:52 remaining in the half.

10 plays and 4:51 later, Joyce was in the end zone yet again, for his 5th rushing touchdown, this time from 26 yards out. The 2 point conversion was no good, and MDI was up 42-0 with 1:01 remaining in the Half.

The Lions got on the scoreboard when Jack Hansen rand a 68 yard kickoff return back, down the right sideline. The 2 point conversion was no good, and the 1st Half ended with the score MDI 42 Belfast 6.

In the 1st Half, MDI held Belfast to 0 yards on the offense, as they had -11 yards rushing and 11 yards receiving. Meanwhile MDI racked up 220 yards rushing and 47 yards in the air.

The entire 2nd Half was played in running time as the Trojans were up by more than 35 points.

MDI would score with 6:34 remaining in the contest when Baylor Landsman completed a 11 yard pass to Joyce. Sam Hoff ran in the 2 point attempt, and it was 56-6 MDI.

MDI would score their final points when the Lions sent 4 receivers to the left side. Jakob Gregory playing defensive back picked off a pass and ran the interception back 20 yards for a pick-6. Gregory's extra point kick was no good and that made the score 56-6.

The Lions would score once more, on a 2 yard pass from Abbott to Tanner Veilleux. Abbott then passed to Veilleux for the 2 point conversion making the final score 56-14.

MDI finishes the season with a 3-5 record.

Belfast, with a 2-6 record will be in the playoffs next week, but the seedings are still to be determined as of Saturday morning, October 20th as games will be played this afternoon at 1PM.

Thanks to Walter Churchill for the photos.

Stats

MDI Rushing