After two weeks of tough, hard-fought victories over quality teams, the Trenton Bulldogs have no time to rest this week. After an overtime victory against West Platte two weeks ago and a one-point win over Lexington on a field goal with 11 seconds left last week, Trenton is set to face the Higginsville Huskers.
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Higginsville is ranked sixth in the state in The Associated Press Class 2 Missouri State Poll and second in the Maxpreps.com rankings.
“They are the best team we have seen and our kids know that,” Trenton Head Coach Wes Croy said. “We haven’t had a lot of success with them over the past couple of years, so I think early on we need to play well and look to gain a little confidence for ourselves, at the same time taking a little confidence away from them. I’m sure with what they have done to us the last couple of years it is going to have them feeling pretty good about themselves, so a good start by us is vital.”
What has made Higginsville so successful in the recent past is four-year starting quarterback DeShaun Thirkield. Last year in a 50-6 rout of Trenton, Thirkield threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns while running for 22 more yards and one touchdown. The Huskers have a lot of weapons, but none more dangerous than Thirkield.
“He has really hurt us the last couple of years,” Croy said. “We definitely know who he is. He is a four-year starter and it seems like we have been playing against him forever. We realize to slow them down we have to contain him. He is such a different type of athlete from the other good quarterbacks we have faced because he is such a dual threat. He can throw it well and he can run it well and we will need to know where he is at all times.”
Thirkield has a strong supporting cast as well. Wide receiver Tyrell Thirkield, DeShaun’s little brother, and running back Cottry Lewis both return after playing large roles in Higginsville’s win over Trenton last season. The offensive line for the Huskers boast three 200-plus pounders, including 6-0, 245 pound senior right tackle Jacob Oberg.
“Our kids had a good week in practice and we feel like we know what to expect,” Croy said. “We just have to go out and physically do what we have prepared to do. If we have success in implementing our defensive game plan, we have a good chance to slow them down. Then we can make them work offensively and control the ball with our offense (and) that will go a long way toward giving us an opportunity to win the football game.”
Trenton’s offense faces a stout Husker defense that hasn’t allowed more than 18 points in a single game since the first week of the season. Higginsville fell to Concordia that night by two points, but has been a solid team ever since.
“They run a 3-3 stack and they are solid all the way around,” Croy said. “They have good team speed, they have size up front and they run to the ball well. People really haven’t had much luck scoring points on them, so we are going to have to play really, really well and take care of the football and not have any turnovers.”
Trenton has been improving every week in the passing game, however, and last week two touchdowns in the air in the first half opened up the ground game in the second half against the Minutemen.
“We are going to need our passing game as the season goes along,” Croy said. “From week to week it will be more of a planned part of the offense than in others. Right now, though, we have to take our shots through the air when we get them, but we have to control the football so we are going to have to run the ball well. It will be a challenge because we will likely be shorthanded on the offensive side of the football. But, hopefully, the kids that are stepping into those positions where injuries have occurred will be able to do what we need them to do to help us move the ball down the field.”
Higginsville is the last match-up for the Bulldogs before district play begins. Trenton has a tough district with Hamilton, ranked second in the Class 2 state poll, and improved Plattsburg and LeBlond teams. Higginsville, win or lose, should provide a good tune-up for the Bulldogs heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.
“Right now we are just working on getting better,” Croy said. “Our scouting report basically says do what you do and do it well and that is what we have to do to be successful. We just need to play our game and do what we do and use this as a springboard into district play.”
The Bulldogs and Huskers will kick off from C.F. Russell Stadium in Trenton at 7 p.m. on Friday. It is ‘Pink Out’ night at C.F. Russell and a pre-game tailgate will be available at Eastside Park. All proceeds will go toward breast cancer awareness.