The Atlantic Trojans were propelled by a host of big plays to a 56-21 Homecoming victory over Knoxville on Friday night. The Trojans move to 5-1 for the first time since the state championship season of 2002.

The Trojans jumped out to an early 14-0 lead behind a Tristan Hayes 34-yard pass to Xavier Darrow and a 37-yard run by Gavin McLaren. Knoxville got a score to make it 14-7 and it stayed that way until a wild final 4 minutes of the first half. Tyson O’Brien busted off an 84-yard touchdown run with 3:10 left in the half. Knoxville answered with a big return and then a 17-yard pass from Brenden Woolsey to JaShawn Conner. A couple of punts were traded and then with under 40 seconds left in the half Brock Goodrich raced down the field on a 58-yard counter to put Atlantic at the 9 yard line. A pass interference call at the goal line got the Trojans to the 4 and then as time expired in the half Gavin McLaren rolled in for a score, making it 28-14 at half.

Atlantic recovered a squib kick to start the second half and capitalized with a Ethan McNeal 13-yard score. Knoxville scored the next possession with a Woolsey to Koby Higginbotham 25-yard hookup, making it 35-21. On the 8th play of the next possession Gavin McLaren fought off multiple defenders for a 61-yard score. That put Atlantic in full control. Jarrett Hansen grabbed an interception on the next Knoxville possession and Brock Goodrich hit the toss counter again for another 61-yard score. Hayes hit McLaren from 33 yards out for the final score.

Atlantic will take their 5-1 mark on the road next week to face the Creston Panthers. We’ll have that game on KJAN and KJANTV.

Watch the game replay HERE.

Listen to Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer’s Postgame comments below: