The run game for the Atlantic Trojans held true in their 35-14 win over the Perry Bluejays on Friday night. The opening drives for both sides resulted in three and outs and it appeared that Friday’s game would be a defensive battle. Midway through the first quarter Perry started to find some offensive rhythm methodically driving the ball down the field. On a big third and down Perry quarterback Geren Kenney rolled out to his left heaving the ball near the goal line where it was picked off by Kinnick Juhl in the end zone. The Trojans would then use that turnover to march down the field and at the start of the second quarter handed the ball off to Ethan McNeal from the six yard line who slashed his way into the end zone to put Atlantic up 7-0.

The next drive for Perry saw the Bluejays once again develop their pass game as Kenney found multiple targets along the field. Perry would end up stalling at the goal line as the Trojans held firm forcing a field that would go wide left to keep it at 7-0. After a few big runs by Gavin McLaren, Atlantic quarterback Tristan Hayes took a shotgun snap on a play action pass and found Xavier Darrow with a tight spiral in the end zone from 29 yards out to make it 14-0 for the Trojans.

With a new sense of urgency the Bluejays tried to quickly move into Atlantic territory with a combination of short passes and counters, but with the first half almost over Kenney threw his second interception of the game to Juhl who returned it near midfield for Atlantic. In the second half is where the scoring started to heat for both sides after multiple drives stalled for both Perry and the Trojans. Near the end of the third quarter on a short comeback route Perry had the ball ripped away and Jarrett Hansen scooped up the fumble in Perry territory and returned it for another Atlantic touchdown. The game was now 21-0 for Atlantic and it seemed over for the Bluejays.

Perry had plenty of fight left in them in the start of the fourth quarter as their offense committed to letting Kenney keep the ball on designed runs. This newer direction on offense led them to their first touchdown of the evening as Kenney took the direct snap and barred his way into the end zone to make it 21-7 for Perry. The Trojans wasted no time in their response as they scored within two minutes thanks to a 19 yard sprint from McLaren giving Atlantic another 21 point lead at 28-7. The Bluejays decided to take their time on the following drive chewing up four minutes of clock and letting Nadir Ouahbi juke his way into a score from six-yard out to give a spark of hope for Perry at 28-14.

Atlantic was quickly back to work allowing McLaren to take consecutive handoffs and he burst his way through Perry for the final touchdown on the night with a 15 yard dash creating a 35-14 win for the Trojans.

Atlantic Trojans head coach Brummer liked the way his team adjusted throughout the evening and the way they effectively arrived the ball.

One aspect of the game that coach Brummer would like to see improve for next Friday’s contest is the Trojans tackling.

The Trojans have a tough task next Friday against a tough Harlan team and coach Brummer wants his team focused for their next battle.

The win bumps Atlantic’s record to 6-2 as they head home next Friday to take on Harlan. Perry drops to 2-5 and head to Knoxville next week.