Trojan Football run through Council Bluffs Jefferson for a Week 0 Victory

August 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

(Atlantic) — Atlantic Football started the season off strong with a focused rushing attack against the Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Yellow Jackets winning 48-30 in their season opener. A key part to their win was the commitment to the run game amassing over 300 rushing yards.

Atlantic came out in the first quarter aggressive and ready to establish a tone early. The run game immediately clicked as the Trojans committed to the I-Formation for the majority of the evening. Which methodically drove them down the field allowing Gavin McLaren to push his way through the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown score. The Trojans were then up 7-0 and they held onto the lead for the rest of the night.

The rest of the ball game a pass first versus run first philosophy between the two teams. The second quarter brought another McLaren touchdown score after a 4th and out from T.J. in the redzone and 43-yard pass from quarterback Tristan Hayes to Jarrett Hansen putting the Trojans up 13-0. Before the end of the second quarter the Yellow Jackets did score off a 4-yard touchdown throw from Jayden Fujii to Mayson Kramer making it 13-6 at halftime.

Coming out of halftime the Trojans immediately received a shot of adrenaline from a 72-yard kick return by Hansen to set Atlantic up at the goal line. McLaren would once again plunge his way into the endzone creating a 20-6 lead for the Trojans. Towards the end of the third quarter Atlantic threw in sophomore running back Ethan McNeal who took a pitch play and turned it into a 40-yard touchdown run. The Trojans lead then turned into 27-6 and the ball game seemed over.

Before the end of the third quarter the Yellow Jackets did manage to gain another score from a 65-yard touchdown pass from Fujii to Braxton Parks off of broken coverage and with a 2-point conversion successful the game was at 27-14. The fourth quarter would turn into a slug-fest for both sides as each side continually exchanged scores. The top of the fourth quarter saw Tyson O’Brien rush his way down into T.J. territory and collect a one-yard touchdown score to put Atlantic up 34-14. T.J. then had a sharp 23-yard touchdown pass from Fujii to Jimmy Ross-Cotton slashing into the lead for a 34-22 score.

Atlantic took control for the rest of the game on both sides of the ball scoring on back-to-back drives from a 5-yard O’Brien touchdown run and 4-yard score by McLaren to put them up 48-22. The Yellow Jackets final score of the game was by backup QB Daulton Garrison to Mayson Kramer on a 40-yard seam route for a final score of 48-30.

The victory was not the smoothest with some work needing to be done by the Atlantic secondary. But, Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer was pleased with his offensive line and rushing performance.

Atlantic finished the night with 324 total rushing yards. 204 of those yards were by leading rusher Tyson O’Brien who had 2 touchdowns of his own. McLaren had 4 td’s and 78 yards on the ground from 78 attempts. Ethan McNeal’s lone touchdown carry accounted for 40 yards on its own. Coach Brummer liked the way his team shared the ball throughout the evening.