HANCOCK – The Greene Trojans started off the 2019 season with a bang as they rolled to a 35-20 road win over the Eagles of Deposit Hancock Friday night.
Tristan Austin of the Trojans had an outstanding performance, coming away from the game with 13 tackles, a forced and recovered fumble and add an 80-yard touchdown on a kickoff return. Offensively, Austin reached 100 yards in nine attempts on the ground, finishing with 111 yards for the night.
Zach Gibbon was also a strong presence in the game on both sides of the ball according to head coach Dave Gorton of the Trojans. Gibbon ran for two touchdowns on six carries and 62 yards while catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. The Trojans player also helped with Greene’s field position with his kicking Gorton noted.
“Overall, We did a great job sticking together against a good opponent,” said Gorton. “[The Eagles] are experienced and physical. We also had several players playing in their first varsity game and everyone put together a full effort.”
Deposit/Hancock went up on the scoreboard first as Dominic Wormuth scored from four yards out.
On the ensuing kickoff, Austin fielded the ball and took off, finding his holes down field with some blocking and his speed. 80 yards later, he found his way into the end zone to quickly tie the game. The Trojans’ took a small lead as Gibbon tacked on the extra point but the running back and kicked for Greene wanted more.
When Gibbons’ number was called 29 yards out, Gibbon saw pay dirt and helped his team take an eight point lead early in the quarter.
Before the end of the quarter, however, Wortmuth tacked on another six with his nine yard run and added the two-point conversion try to tie the game at 14-14.
The two teams once again matched score for score as Greened scored on a Drew Erickson found Owen Kennedy down field for a Trojans’ 36 yard touchdown pass. The Eagles responded shortly after, using pass to score in the second quarter of the game and the two went into halftime with Greene leading by a point.
“We had too many penalties and we didn’t tackle well in the first half,” said Gorton of his team’s close game in the first half.
In the second half, he stated his team did a better job of tackling as the Trojans’ held the home team scoreless.
In the third quarter, Gibbon tallied two more touchdowns for his stat sheet as he ran for 20 yards on the ground for the first of the second half. His second six came by a pass from his quarterback as the two connected on a 30 yard touchdown reception, Erickson’s second scoring pass of the contest.
“[Drew] Erickson made big plays in his first games,” said Gorton. “Teammate Grayson Flanagan also did in his first appearance on varsity so it really was a very complete team effort. It was very exciting but we have to clean things up for next week.”
Greene (1-0) is on the road once again, facing the Walton Warriors on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Greene 35, Deposit/Hancock 20
Greene 14 7 14 0 – 35
D/H 14 6 0 0 – 20
Scoring Summary
First quarter
D/H – Wormuth 4 yard run (Kick no good)
Greene – Austin, 80 yard KOR, (Gibbon kick good)
Greene – Gibbon 29 yard run, (Gibbon kick good)
D/H – Wormuth, 9 yard run (Wormuth run good)
Second quarter
Greene – Kennedy 36 yard pass from D. Erickson (Gibbon kick good)
D/H – Santamaria 12 yard TD pass (Run no good)
Third Quarter
Greene – Gibbon 22 yard run (Gibbon kick good)
Greene – Gibbon 30 yard pass from D. Erickson (Gibbon kick good.)
Fourth Quarter
None.
Passing: (G) Drew Erickson 5-for-9, 92 yards, two TDs, one INT.
Rushing: (G) Austin 9-11, Gibbon 6-62, 2 TDs, Nate Barry 4-53, Drew Erickson 2-(-3), Jarrett Ludolph 2-1. Totals: 23 carries, 224 yards.
Receiving: (G) Owen Kennedy 1-36, TD, Gibbon 4-56 yards, TD