Trojans control own destiny, playoff future

With their 27-14 win over Oak Park last week, the Park Hill Trojans (6-3) are in the familiar situation of having the opportunity to clinch a district title this week against St. Joe Central (5-4). Not only is Park Hill looking to hang a sixth consecutive district banner, but a win will result in a first round playoff bye for the Trojans who would happily take the time off to rest and hopefully gain players back from injury. Although Central is coming off a tough 37-0 loss to Staley, they’ll try to give the Trojans some problems when it comes to reading their formations.

“They like to run a lot of different stuff, similar to a Missouri Tigers offense,” Coach Greg Reynolds said. “They try to run sets that put you out of position. It’s going to be two physical teams, but they like to spread it out more where we like to pound it a little more.”

Coming off a dramatic late game touchdown to beat top-ranked Staley the week before, it seems the Trojans came out against Oak Park somewhat flat last Friday night. Several penalties along with some injuries incurred throughout the game disallowed either team from getting into an offensive rhythm.

“It’s combination of everything. When you get a big win like we did, you have a high feeling of a victory and it takes a lot to get over it,” Reynolds said. “They’re always a team that causes us trouble. Mentally, in games like that you have to stay focus.”

Park Hill jumped to a 21-0 lead in the first half on the heels of two Trace Norfleet touchdowns (29, 62 yard) with an agile 16-yard score from fullback Blake Downs in between. But the Trojans fell asleep on the last play of the first half when David Wingerson’s 78 yard touchdown reception put the Northmen on the board at 21-7.

Downs added a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter before Oak Park added a score in the fourth quarter to bring the final to 27-14. Those 13 points will come in handy for Park Hill in a possible tie-breaker situation. If Park Hill losses this week and Staley presumably beats Oak Park, there will be a three-way tie for the district title broken by each team’s margin of victory. Park Hill currently stands at +16, Staley at +10, and St. Joe Central at 0. Of course for Park Hill, winning next week will avoid that scenario.

Even though the Trojans’ season will likely be extended several weeks, last Friday was Senior Night and, as with any team, it is unique in its own way. With a small Senior class of 17, only about 10 of which have been in the program all four years, their coach says they’re different than other classes he’s had and have done some good things.

“A couple kids sucked it up when they were banged up tonight. They’ve done what we’ve asked them to do,” Reynolds said. “When you’re in a position to go to the playoffs it’s usually based on what your seniors do.”