Novak’s three rushing scores, punt return tally, lead THS to GRC win over Putnam County

Trenton senior halfback Gabe Novak had 18 carries for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a fourth score on a punt return, leading the Bulldogs to a Grand River Conference victory over the Putnam County Midgets, 49-16 on Friday night at C.F. Russell Stadium.

The Bulldogs played the Midgets to a draw through the first several minutes of the game before the pendulum began to shift Trenton’s direction.  Brayden Hughs opened the scoring with 4:48 to go in the first quarter, with a 14 yard scamper giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.  On the ensuing kickoff, a low hard strike off the toe of Camden Skipper struck a Putnam County blocker on the leg at midfield, with Trenton jumping on the loose ball for possession.  Moments later, Novak had a 36 yard run to the end zone.  Tom Johnson had the play-by-play call on KGOZ 101.7 FM: 

Mason Rongey added a two-yard scoring plunge with 10:25 to go in the first half.  Skipper showed improvement on PAT’s early, going 3 for 3, as Trenton boosted the lead to 21-0.

The Bulldogs added to the lead with 1:12 remaining in the half, on an explosive run by Novak from just beyond midfield: 

With the score sitting at 27-0, many thought the scoring would be done for the first half, but Putnam County’s Jade Watt returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to the Trenton 1 yard line.  One play later, quarterback Trace Riedinger scored on a sneak, with a Riediger to Sells two-point conversion cutting the lead to 27-8.  However, any momentum gained by the Midgets would disappear seconds later, as Collin Taylor received the kickoff at the Trenton 45: 

THS added a 43 yard punt return for a score and an 8-yard touchdown tally in the third quarter, with both scores from the legs of Novak.  The fourth quarter saw Putnam County score on a 1 yard run by sophomore fullback Angstrom Watt, with Jude Watt adding a two-point run.

The Bulldogs are now 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in the GRC, with Putnam County falling to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the GRC.

Other scores from Friday, September 15, 2023: 

Princeton 62, King City 26 (on KTTN FM 92.3) 

Maysville 46, South Harrison 22

Polo 33, Gallatin 18

Milan 45, Harrisburg 44 

South Shelby 59, Monroe City 6

Clark County 34, Highland 8

Centralia 33, Brookfield 0

Palmyra 34, Macon 20

Marceline 45, Hogan Prep 16

Westran 49, Fayette 0

Russellville 34, Carrollton 12

Higginsville 49, Summit Christian Academy 7

Chillicothe 26, Cameron 20 (OT) 

Maryville 46, St. Pius X 42

Savannah 50, Lafayette 0

Lincoln Prep 23, Benton 20

East Buchanan 63, Lathrop 24

North Platte 22, Penney 20

Mid-Buchanan 14, Lawson 7

West Platte 25, University Academy 22

Smithville 28, Ruskin 6

Moberly 35, Kirksville 6

Kearney 47, Excelsior Springs 13

St. Joseph Central 52, William Chrisman 20

North Andrew 38, St. Joseph Christian 34

Worth County 66, Albany 12

Stanberry 66, Pattonsburg 22

South Holt 77, Stewartsville/Osborn 0

Mound City 14, East Atchison 12

Plattsburg 81, Slater 14 (Thursday)

Platte Valley 40, Nodaway Valley 26

Rock Port 64, DeKalb 0

Braymer 68, Orrick 6

Schuyler County 60, North Shelby 14