Move to QB is no problem for Euless Trinity star in season opener vs. Arlington Lamar
After Ollie Gordon starred for Euless Trinity at running back for the past two seasons, a decision was made to move the 4-star Oklahoma State commit to quarterback earlier this year.
If he was uncomfortable at QB, it didn’t show Thursday night.
Gordon scored three times on the ground and tossed two touchdown passes as Trinity bounced Arlington Lamar, 45-27, in the season opener at Pennington Field.
Trinity (1-0) ties the series with Lamar at 8-8 and has beaten the Vikings five of the last seven times at Pennington Field. The Trojans won 35-28 last season, which was the first time the two schools played since 2003.
A Star-Telegram first-team all-area running back in 2020, Gordon started at QB for Trinity’s freshman squad so the position wasn’t unfamiliar. But coming off a stellar junior year at running back where he rushed for 2,083 yards and 28 touchdowns, one might think he’d miss it.
“It’s not hard at all,” said Gordon, who noted that the position still requires a lot of running on his part. “I know Gary [Maddox] is going to tote that rock so I just sit back and let the show begin and watch. I love being a big part, but I also love sharing the ball around.”
Maddox led Trinity with 153 yards rushing on 18 attempts and scored on a 7-yard run to give the Trojans a 21-0 lead with 32 seconds left in the first quarter.
Gordon, who gained 136 yards on eight carries, scored on runs of 65 and 31 yards to open the scoring for Trinity. He put up the Trojans’ final points with a 1-yard QB sneak with 4:56 left in the game. As a team, Trinity rushed for 396 yards on 38 carries behind its big offensive line, featuring twins Jared and Jacob Foni.
If there was any doubt about Gordon’s throwing ability it was erased with 10:48 left in the third quarter. With a flick of the wrist, Gordon’s pass traveled 55 yards in the air to Jaquon Black resulting in a 47-yard TD and a 38-14 lead.
“They kept coming in so we went play action and we have a 6-8, 230-pound receiver, you might as well say,” said Gordon of Black, who’s listed at 6-4 and 211 pounds in the program. “I know he’s going to go up and get the ball so I gave him a chance. A 50-50 ball, he’s going to win every time.”
Gordon also hit Kedric Corbin down the right hash for a 24-yard score with 6:26 left in the first half. Gordon completed 3 of 6 passes for 76 yards and Black caught three tosses for 68 yards.
It was a rough debut for Lamar’s Billy Skinner, who replaced Laban DeLay as head coach in the off-season. The former Lamar defensive end and assistant was tasked with taking on the No. 7 team in the state in Class 6A, but there were a few bright spots.
Vikings QB Jaden Morris, who threw for 252 yards on 19 of 25 passes, found Branden Bias for second-quarter touchdown passes of 42 and 72 yards. Tanner Walker hauled in a 13-yard TD pass from Morris with 42 seconds left.
Bias caught six passes for 151 yards and Lamar struggled on the ground picking up 47 yards on 27 carries.
Trinity kicker Kelson Cotner nailed a 51-yard field goal just before halftime.
The Trojans are coming off a regional final appearance in 2020, losing to Southlake Carroll. They finished the year 11-2 with their deepest playoff run since 2017.
This story was originally published August 27, 2021 at 12:02 AM.