The Trenton Middle School Bulldogs claimed a 22-16 win over Grand River Conference rival Polo on Tuesday night at C.F. Russell Stadium, with TMS having just enough firepower to hold off a game Panther squad.
Trenton opened the scoring in the first quarter, as Jarek Habelitz hit the end zone on a 12 yard run, with a pass from Coleman Griffin to Dylan Spencer leaving the score 8-0 after the first stanza. Trenton doubled the lead in the second quarter on a 34 yard pass connection from Griffin to Habelitz, followed by a successful Griffin scamper for two. However, Polo cut the halftime lead to 16-8 on the strength of a 47 yard scoring run and the two-run conversion.
After a scoreless third quarter, Trenton got breathing room in the fourth on an 18 yard touchdown run by Sam Gibson. However, a failed conversion left the advantage at 22-8. Polo returned the kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown and converted the two-point play, but no more points went on the scoreboard, with TMS holding on for the victory.
Habelitz finished the night with 68 yards rushing for Trenton, with Gibson amassing 73 yards on the ground, while Griffin had 67 rush yards and 64 through the air.
Defensively, Ian Elbert led TMS with 12 tackles, while both Hunter McAtee and Coleman Griffin forced fumbles, while Tim Kempton and Griffin recovered Polo fumbles.
The next TMS football game will be Monday, September 10th at Gallatin. Kickoff is set for 5:00 with the junior varsity game to follow. The Trenton varsity plays this Friday night at Gallatin, with coverage starting at 5:30 for the 7 o’clock kick on Hot Country Z 101.7, with Tom Johnson and Tucker Franklin on the play-by-play call.
In another middle school football final from Tuesday night, Milan beat South Harrison 42-8.
