Euless Trinity strikes quickly, rolls over Mansfield

By Josh Bowe

Special to the Star-Telegram

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- It didn't take long for Euless Trinity to show its dominance on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans scored two touchdowns in the game's first two minutes en route to a convincing 28-7 victory over Mansfield in the Class 5A Division I area round at the BISD Fine Arts/Athletic Complex.

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Trinity (10-2) plays Southlake Carroll, a 73-23 winner over El Paso El Dorado, this week.

Senior quarterback Matt Hawkins gave Trinity a 7-0 lead on a sneak up the middle less than two minutes into the game. On the Trojans' ensuing kickoff, junior running back Isaac Ellsworth forced a fumble and junior linebacker Turner Woolley scooped it up and ran 14 yards for Trinity's second score.

In just a few seconds, it was 14-0 and the Trojans were rolling.

"It's a great play you don't expect to get. It was a gift," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said. "Once you feel like you've got a lead, you really feel like you can cut loose and play."

Trinity's defense controlled the game from there. Mansfield (7-5) only picked up four first downs in the first half, gaining just 63 total yards.

As the Trojans' defense kept Mansfield's offense off the field, Trinity used the big play on offense to extend its lead.

Hawkins connected on a 33-yard pass to senior wide receiver Ray Bolden on a third-and-7 in the second quarter.

Junior running back Homer Babcock scored on a 5-yard run later in the drive to give Trinity a 21-0 lead.

"There's nothing you can do about it, once you're in that hole, you're in the hole," Mansfield coach Jeff Hulme said. "It's something we've done all year. When you play a team as good as Trinity, you can't make mistakes."

The lead grew to four touchdowns when Hawkins threw a 40-yard pass to senior wide receiver Jason Reese with 2:44 left in the half.

Hawkins completed 5 of 8 passes for 122 yards and that touchdown in the first half.

"We knew that their safeties were going to come up and stop the run," Hawkins said. "We just had to capitalize on hitting the deep ball behind them."

Trinity normally rotates a handful of running backs for its dominant run game, but Homer Babcock was the workhorse against Mansfield.

Babcock carried the ball 24 times for 105 yards and a touchdown. He wore down Mansfield's defense in the second half, allowing Trinity to eat time off the clock.

Mansfield's lone touchdown came on a 27-yard pass from senior quarterback Lane Meyer to senior wide receiver Lance Evans with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

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