Trinity readies for first round foe Saks

Story by Griffin Pritchard  | Publisher

Photos by CAScoreboard Staff

CENTRAL ALABAMA SCOREBOARD OFFICE – Trinity and Saks will bang helmets for the first time, ever, Friday night in the opening round of the AHSAA 3A Playoffs.

“We are excited,” said Granger Shook, coach of the Trinity Wildcats. “Saks has one of the most dynamic athletes at quarterback that we will have seen all year. It should be a very physical, four-quarter battle.”

Saks (7-3, 4-2) – who needed to defeat Walter Welborn (35-18) in the season’s final week of region play – travels to Montgomery led by quarterback Gavin Doss. In the win over Welborn, he accounted for 252 yards (61 of those passing) and two touchdowns.

Trinity (8-2, 5-1) comes into the affair on somewhat fresh legs. But – after the 58-0 win over Greensboro Oct. 22 – they needed a rest. In the regional finale, the Wildcats put up 333 yards of total offense in a truly balanced attack: Walker McClinton threw for 167 yards and four scores while a combination of backs carried the ball for 166 rushing yards. JaMichael Jones led the pack with 51 yards and a score. Chase Parker on six carries amassed 77 yards and a score.

McClinton – throwing the ball around – made sure to spread the wealth. He completed passes to DM Lieux for 20 yards and a score; to Norris Pemberton for 54 yards and a score; to John Morris, Camaree Jackson and Matthew Schroll (a touchdown each).

But the defense was vital as Trinity pitched its third shutout of the season. Harrison Jackson, Schroll and Ross Sanders led the way with a mixture of multiple tackles for loss and sacks.

The two teams seem to share a balance coming into Friday’s game. Trinity is outscoring their opponents 315-135 while Saks is outscoring their foes 369-171.

Kickoff for Friday’s game is 7 p.m. at Trinity. The winner advances to face the Houston Academy / Mobile Christian winner.