Trojans turn to big-play ability of Ruskin following overtime victory

Coming off a thrilling 13-7 overtime victory in week one at Liberty, the Park Hill Trojans return home to host the Ruskin Eagles Friday. They’ll be looking to improve on their 1-0 start to the season with another victory before preparing for what could shape up to be one of the best matchups in the city against Park Hill South on September 9th.

Ruskin, who fell in their opener 42-28 to Truman, suffered from several turnovers throughout the game with three interceptions, three lost fumbles, a safety, and a number of penalties. Park Hill will look to rattle Ruskin quarterback Tino Martin, who was injured during last year’s 35-13 Trojan victory, in hopes of seeing the same results they were able to produce against Liberty last week where they benefited from two Blue Jays lost fumbles at critical points in the game. The Eagles will sport an offense similar to Liberty’s which will benefit Park Hill in terms of weekly defensive adjustments, but the most hostile threat to the Trojans will be Ruskin’s big play ability.

“We’re going to have to win this game up front by controlling big plays,” Reynolds said. “They’re the type of team that could only get four positive plays all night, but they may result in 28 points.”

Big plays were exactly what Park Hill and Liberty lacked last week for a majority of the game. If you would have walked into the stadium midway through the fourth quarter you wouldn't have missed very much leading up to that point as the score remained 0-0.
When the Trojans gained possession after a Liberty punt at the 8:13 mark in the fourth quarter, they began and finished what they had failed to do all night: mount a long-standing drive based off their familiar smash-mouth, physical style of football. But 11 plays and 64 yards later, it was Jordan Wang, the fullback turned tailback who powered through the Liberty defense for a 5-yard touchdown run to put Park hill up 7-0 with 2:07 left in the game.

“Long story short, we kept battling, won field position, and were finally able to break through,” Reynolds said of the score. “Basically our line was doing a good enough job of leaning forward that we could get two or three yards at a time. We are who we are. We’re going to run the ball until they stop it and then we’re run it some more.”

Based on Liberty’s offensive production and five fumbles up to that point, you couldn’t be blamed if you counted the Blue Jays out, but as many were caught heading towards the exits, Liberty’s passing game exploded in a huge way. After receiving the kickoff, Pate Tyler’s 36-yard reception to begin the drive was followed by a 38-yard reception by Max Bamburg which all of a sudden put the Blue Jays in the red zone. Two plays later, Lucas Norton hit Tyler again for a six-yard touchdown reception that tied it up at 7-7 with just 23 seconds. Following the kick-off, Park Hill elected to run the clock out and take the game to overtime.

Liberty gained possession first, but failed to gain a first down and forewent a field goal attempt. Park Hill capitalized on their second play from scrimmage in overtime when Wang took a handoff 21 yards for the game winning touchdown and a 13-7 Trojans victory. Wang finished the night with 31 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Their week one victory represents a significant and early boost to a team that will face steep competition down the road.

“It’s huge. I told everyone if we can get this one, we have a chance to really springboard. If we can get on a roll right now and get on towards the middle of our season, it’s going to be good for us,” Reynolds said. “This is a young group that needed some confidence. Beating a team named Liberty is always good.”