Huge night by Brandon Theus lifts Trinity to big win over L.D. Bell
For the 21st consecutive season, the No. 8 Euless Trinity Trojans took care of their crosstown rival with surgical precision Thursday night at Pennington Field, dominating Hurst Bell for a 40-13 win in the District 3-6A opener for both teams.
The Blue Raiders (1-3, 0-1 District 3-6A) gifted the Trojans (4-0, 1-0) scoring opportunities with turnovers on their first two possessions, then gave away a safety and an extra point opportunity with bad snaps late in the game.
A Sebastian Tauaalo interception and big return on Bell’s opening possession set up the first of two Brandon Theus touchdown runs for the Trojans. A bad snap on a Bell punt attempt just moments later gave Trinity another short field and it was 14-0 just seven minutes into the game.
The Blue Raiders got their only score of the first half with a 75-yard march that ended with a diving catch of a 21-yard Mason Ornelas pass at the pylon by Zion Hardy. But Trinity answered immediately, grinding out 17 points in the second quarter to take a 31-7 halftime lead.
THE GAME WAS OVER WHEN: After the Blue Raiders had cut the Trojan lead down to 14-7, the Trojans went on drives of 49, 84 and 38 yards to build a 24-point halftime lead, capped by a Asim Ljuso field goal as time expired.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Tuaalo’s interception came after Bell had opened the game with an efficient seven-play, 44-yard drive. After a 31-yard return, the Trojans set up shop in Raider territory and marched in for the game’s first score.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Trinity running back Brandon Theus finished the night with 196 yards on 23 carries, punching in two first-half touchdowns on the Trojans’ first two possessions.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: The Trojan secondary gave up an early touchdown, but rarely allowed Bell receivers to add much-needed yards after the catch on 13 catches for just 75 yards. Other than the Hardy touchdown catch, Bell’s passing game netted just 54 yards.
UNSUNG HERO OF THE GAME: Trinity quarterback Laki Ellis was efficient, connecting on 9-of-12 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
WHAT’S NEXT? The undefeated Trojans must travel over 200 miles to West Texas for a 6-3A meeting with San Angelo Central at 7 pm Friday, Oct. 5. Bell is back at Pennington the same night to face Abilene High with a 7:30 pm kickoff.
This story was originally published September 27, 2018 at 10:10 PM.