Theus and Barnett run for nearly 450 yards and 6 TDs in Euless Trinity win over Martin
Euless Trinity’s 1-2 running punch of Brandon Theus and A.J. Barnett proved too much for Arlington Martin as the Trojans defeated the Warriors, 56-34, in their Class 6A Division I bi-district win at Pennington Field on Friday.
The duo combined for almost 450 yards and six touchdowns as the Trojans improved to 9-1 and advanced to meet the winner between El Paso Franklin and Midland.
Martin ended the season 5-6 after an 0-4 start. The Warriors were 1-6 against teams that reached the playoffs, while Trinity improved to 6-1 against playoff teams.
Theus picked up 225 yards on 20 carries with touchdown runs of 39 and 74 yards, mostly in the first half, carrying only one time in the second half. Barnett finished the night with 221 yards and four touchdown runs of 26, 32, 1 and 2 yards, mostly in the second half.
In a yeoman effort, Martin’s Willie Roberts rushed for 106 yards on just four carries and scored three touchdowns of 63, 3 and 41 yards.
The Trojans led 21-20 at the half after Martin quarterback Zach Mundell connected with Ryan Wallace for a 17-yard touchdown pass, but then opted to run for two points, but failed.
Then, to open the second half, Trinity’s Colby Parton returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and a 28-20 lead. Martin countered with a 9-yard TD from Mundell, but a delay of game penalty forced them to settle for a PAT kick instead of going for two to tie the score.
The Trojans answered with three straight touchdowns from Barnett to take control.
Trinity continued its dominance of Martin in the all-time series, improving to 15-1.
Game was over when: A.J. Barnett scored three consecutive touchdowns to put Trinity ahead 49-27 after Martin had closed to within one with 9:32 left in the third quarter. Barnett’s final TD came with 6:45 to play.
Play of the game: Barnett’s 32-yard touchdown run with 8:04 put Trinity ahead 35-27 and squelched any momentum Martin had built from its previous drive that pulled the Warriors to within a point. That TD triggered three consecutive scoring drives by the Trojans.
Offensive players of the game: Barnett carried 30 times for 221 yards and four touchdowns, and took over the game in the second half after teammate Brandon Theus had dominated the first half on his way to 225 yards and two TD on 20 carries.
Defensive player of the game: Trinity’s Jalonie Williams returned an interception 31 yards, setting up Barnett’s first touchdown run of 26 yards to give Trinity a 21-14 lead the Trojans would not relinquish.
Unsung hero of the game: Martin’s Willie Roberts carried four times for 106 yards with three touchdowns. His first TD of 63 yards gave the Warriors a 7-0 lead, and his second of 3 yards put them up 14-7. He also caught an 18-yard pass.
What’s next: Trinity will face El Paso Franklin or Midland, TBA.
This story was originally published November 16, 2018 at 10:30 PM.