Jacksonville Fl- It was a game with lots of anticipation as Bolles (11 State Titles) visited Trinity (7 State Titles) to open the regular season for both teams. There were several future division one players scheduled to be on the field, yet in the end only one team proved to have the big plays, and big playmakers on the night as Bolles rolled to a 36-12 victory over Trinity Christian.
The game began with a defensive stalemate. Bolles began on defense sacking Trinity Quarterback JaCory Jordan to force a punt. Jack Pyburn and Hayden Schwartz would register the sack as Bolles applied pressure all evening on defense. Trinity’s defense would start strong , forcing Bolles to attempt a 4th and short. However a bad snap over the head of Quarterback Gunner Boree resulted in Trinity regaining possession in Bulldog territory.
After a three and out for Trinity, Bolles began to enforce their running game with Kade Frew. Frew followed the blocks of his offensive linemen and H-Backs for first downs, including a 37-yard gain. On 3rd and short Trinity’s Christian Ellis knifed in to stuffed Frew forcing a 4th and short at the Trinity 20-yard line. Next, Bolles dialed up a play that everyone in the stadium knew was coming. A pop pass to their big tight end Justin Cayenne who took it into the end-zone un-touched for the touchdown.
Trailing 7-0 mid-way through the first, Trinity attempted to mount a response as they drove down the field. Yet a pass thrown behind receiver Marcus Burke ended the drive and also ended the night for the Florida commit, as Burke came up limping from an apparent injury (hamstring).
Bolles would capitalize in the second quarter, facing 3rd and long Gunner Boree lofted a go route to his receiver Davis Ellis, hitting him in stride for the 80-yard touchdown. Bolles led 14-0 in the second quarter.
The night seemed to just get worse for Trinity as penalties racked up on the team. A holding penalty negated a big gain to Fred Highsmith and on the ensuing play defensive end David Adewale sacked Jordan, one of his three sacks on the night. Trinity suffered a bad snap on the and punter Caleb Stevenson kicked the ball through the end-zone as Bolles took a 16-0 lead.
Before halftime, Boree would hook up with Ellis again, this time for a beautiful over the shoulder catch to the one yard line. Ellis faced one of the best defensive backs in the area in the first half (Corey Coley, Maryland Commit) and won twice when his number was called. “I was definitely motivated; I come out here every night to prove myself; He’s a great player(Coley) I had a few good routes against him”. Kade Frew would barrel in for the touchdown as Bolles took a 22-0 lead into halftime.
The second half saw Trinity make adjustments on offense and defense. On defense they seemed to work as Trinity forced a three and out. On offense, Trinity began to move the ball and would reach the end-zone when Jordan hit Fred Highsmith for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good as Trinity trailed 22-6 in the 3rd.
Yet that momentum would be halted by the dynamic Bolles play makers. Kade Frew would rush for his second touchdown of the night bouncing it outside and going over the 100 yard mark. Frew finished with 22 carries for 138 yards. Ellis had 2 receptions for 109 yards, and Boree went 6 of 8 for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Trinity (0-1) was without some key starters on the night. Running-back Treyaun Webb (Georgia Commit) did not play due to an ankle injury. Kaleb Killian wide receiver didn’t dress (knee), and Marcus Burke (Florida Commit) exited early in the first quarter. They have a bye week to get healthy before traveling to Lake City Columbia(0-0).
The Bolles win seemed to be unfinished business as the Bulldogs lost the last two meetings with the two teams. Bolles was given a forfeited win due to an ineligible player in 2017. Yet not just unfinished business avenging losses to Trinity, but more so unfinished business avenging their loss in the state title game to Booker T. They look like a team on a mission Friday night who wont stop till its accomplished. They’ll face St. Augustine (1-0) next week.
