JUST SHORT

Midgets Hold Off Trenton Rally

The improvement in the Trenton High School football team was visible on Friday night. The end result, however, was the same.
Trenton fell 30-26 to Putnam County after a second half rally came up short in Unionville.
Trenton was denied a victory after digging itself into a 30-12 hole in the first half. Trenton’s characteristic mistakes through three weeks continued to plague the Bulldogs in their week four match-up. Trenton gave Putnam County short fields through turnovers and poor special teams play and the Midgets made good on their opportunities.
Twice Trenton was bitten on punt attempts. The Bulldogs had one punt go for just eight yards and a bad snap resulted in a turnover on downs in Trenton’s own territory.
“We really have to shore up our special teams,” Trenton Head Coach Kevin Hixson said. “We have to give our starters as much of a break as we can. We have about six guys who, if they come off for one or two special teams plays, that’s all the break that they get. When that starts to hurt your team, though, you have to go back and re-evaluate it.”
Trenton also gave up a score just before halftime – doing so for the third time in four games.
But when the game turned toward the second half, Trenton rebounded. The Bulldogs battled their way back, getting two more scores. It would not be enough, however, as Trenton succumbed to defeat for the fourth week in a row.
“I think our effort, in the second half, was really good,” Hixson said. “We took a huge step. We came back and battled the entire second half. I think we learned as well as grew up a little.”
Trenton had a big night rushing as Jaren Whitney led the Bulldogs with 242 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Mark Trump added 170 yards and a score on 17 carries. Trenton’s only other score in the game came on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Sam Schilling to Dalton Burchett.
Trenton fell to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in GRC play with the loss. The Bulldogs will host Princeton for homecoming this Friday at 7 p.m.