Stifling defense, strong running attack lead THS to shutout win over Lathrop

The Trenton Bulldogs broke open a close game with a trio of second-quarter touchdowns on Friday night, winning the football program’s home opener at C.F. Russell Stadium, 35-0 over the Lathrop Mules.

In action broadcast over KTTN FM 92.3 and Hot Country Z 101.7, the teams battled through a pair of scoreless possessions in the early stages of the first quarter, before Trenton’s defense, on an interception by Tucker Otto, flipped field position toward the Bulldogs.  Just over a minute later, Gabe Novak sliced his way through the Mules defense for a 14 yard touchdown run, the junior halfback’s third of the young season.  Tom Johnson had the play-by-play call: 

Through the final few minutes of the first quarter, Trenton continued to show dominance on both sides of the ball, with Coleman Griffin latching onto the first of two interceptions for the senior with 4:27 to go in the first.  Early into the second quarter, Griffin scored on a 1 yard quarterback dive and added a two-point conversion carry, pushing the Bulldogs advantage to 14-0.

Midway through the second quarter, Novak added Trenton’s longest play of the season to date, scoring from 57 yards out: 

With the Trenton secondary grabbing three interceptions in the first half, defensive tackle Tim Kempton added to the Bulldogs pick total with 1:52 to go in the half, thwarting Lathrop’s attempt at a middle screen: 

Following Kempton’s pick, bruising fullback Sam Gibson added a fourth touchdown for the Bulldogs first half onslaught: 

A five yard run by Ian Elbert early in the fourth quarter accounted for the game’s final score.  Gibson was 3 for 4 on point after attempts for THS, now 2-0 on the season.  Lathrop, with the loss, falls to a mark of 1-1.

Other scores from Friday, September 2, 2022: 

Clark County 58, Princeton 12

Milan 41, Harrisburg 6

Putnam County 34, Tolton Catholic 29

Gallatin 40, Penney 0 

West Platte 28, South Harrison 6

Polo 55, Plattsburg 20 

North Platte 20, Maysville 0 

Higginsville 56, Lawson 19 

Kirksville 40, Chillicothe 14

Richmond 39, Oak Grove 0 

Salisbury 66, Carrollton 6

Mid-Buchanan 20, Holden 14

Savannah 24, East Buchanan 19 

St. Joseph Central 47, St. Joseph Benton 13

Pleasant Hill 63, St. Joseph Lafayette 7

Cameron 22, Kansas City Southeast 6

Maryville 49, Harrisonville 6

Brookfield 20, Marceline 14

South Shelby 43, Westran 6

Highland 26, Scotland County 7 

Worth County 86, St. Joseph Christian 6

North Andrew 64, Bishop LeBlond 36

Pattonsburg 78, Schuyler County 40 

King City 66, DeKalb 0 

Albany 54, Stanberry 32

Sweet Springs 50, Knox County 18 

North Shelby 84, Northwest (Hughesville) 30 

Norborne/Hardin-Central 70, Concordia 28

St. Paul Lutheran 56, Braymer 34

Platte Valley 54, Rock Port 16

East Atchison 64, Nodaway Valley 6

Stewartsville-Osborn 40, Mound City 12

Osceola 52, Keytesville 20 

South Holt / Nodaway-Holt 80, Southwest Livingston 42